best english essay words

Save £500 when you enrol by 30th September!

• 40 Useful Words and Phrases for Top-Notch Essays

To be truly brilliant, an essay needs to utilise the right language. You could make a great point, but if it’s not intelligently articulated, you almost needn’t have bothered.

Developing the language skills to build an argument and to write persuasively is crucial if you’re to write outstanding essays every time. In this article, we’re going to equip you with the words and phrases you need to write a top-notch essay, along with examples of how to utilise them.

It’s by no means an exhaustive list, and there will often be other ways of using the words and phrases we describe that we won’t have room to include, but there should be more than enough below to help you make an instant improvement to your essay-writing skills.

If you’re interested in developing your language and persuasive skills, Oxford Royale offers summer courses at its Oxford Summer School , Cambridge Summer School , London Summer School , San Francisco Summer School and Yale Summer School . You can study courses to learn english , prepare for careers in law , medicine , business , engineering and leadership.

General explaining

Let’s start by looking at language for general explanations of complex points.

1. In order to

Usage: “In order to” can be used to introduce an explanation for the purpose of an argument. Example: “In order to understand X, we need first to understand Y.”

2. In other words

Usage: Use “in other words” when you want to express something in a different way (more simply), to make it easier to understand, or to emphasise or expand on a point. Example: “Frogs are amphibians. In other words, they live on the land and in the water.”

3. To put it another way

Usage: This phrase is another way of saying “in other words”, and can be used in particularly complex points, when you feel that an alternative way of wording a problem may help the reader achieve a better understanding of its significance. Example: “Plants rely on photosynthesis. To put it another way, they will die without the sun.”

4. That is to say

Usage: “That is” and “that is to say” can be used to add further detail to your explanation, or to be more precise. Example: “Whales are mammals. That is to say, they must breathe air.”

5. To that end

Usage: Use “to that end” or “to this end” in a similar way to “in order to” or “so”. Example: “Zoologists have long sought to understand how animals communicate with each other. To that end, a new study has been launched that looks at elephant sounds and their possible meanings.”

Adding additional information to support a point

Students often make the mistake of using synonyms of “and” each time they want to add further information in support of a point they’re making, or to build an argument. Here are some cleverer ways of doing this.

6. Moreover

Usage: Employ “moreover” at the start of a sentence to add extra information in support of a point you’re making. Example: “Moreover, the results of a recent piece of research provide compelling evidence in support of…”

7. Furthermore

Usage:This is also generally used at the start of a sentence, to add extra information. Example: “Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that…”

8. What’s more

Usage: This is used in the same way as “moreover” and “furthermore”. Example: “What’s more, this isn’t the only evidence that supports this hypothesis.”

9. Likewise

Usage: Use “likewise” when you want to talk about something that agrees with what you’ve just mentioned. Example: “Scholar A believes X. Likewise, Scholar B argues compellingly in favour of this point of view.”

10. Similarly

Usage: Use “similarly” in the same way as “likewise”. Example: “Audiences at the time reacted with shock to Beethoven’s new work, because it was very different to what they were used to. Similarly, we have a tendency to react with surprise to the unfamiliar.”

11. Another key thing to remember

Usage: Use the phrase “another key point to remember” or “another key fact to remember” to introduce additional facts without using the word “also”. Example: “As a Romantic, Blake was a proponent of a closer relationship between humans and nature. Another key point to remember is that Blake was writing during the Industrial Revolution, which had a major impact on the world around him.”

12. As well as

Usage: Use “as well as” instead of “also” or “and”. Example: “Scholar A argued that this was due to X, as well as Y.”

13. Not only… but also

Usage: This wording is used to add an extra piece of information, often something that’s in some way more surprising or unexpected than the first piece of information. Example: “Not only did Edmund Hillary have the honour of being the first to reach the summit of Everest, but he was also appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.”

14. Coupled with

Usage: Used when considering two or more arguments at a time. Example: “Coupled with the literary evidence, the statistics paint a compelling view of…”

15. Firstly, secondly, thirdly…

Usage: This can be used to structure an argument, presenting facts clearly one after the other. Example: “There are many points in support of this view. Firstly, X. Secondly, Y. And thirdly, Z.

16. Not to mention/to say nothing of

Usage: “Not to mention” and “to say nothing of” can be used to add extra information with a bit of emphasis. Example: “The war caused unprecedented suffering to millions of people, not to mention its impact on the country’s economy.”

Words and phrases for demonstrating contrast

When you’re developing an argument, you will often need to present contrasting or opposing opinions or evidence – “it could show this, but it could also show this”, or “X says this, but Y disagrees”. This section covers words you can use instead of the “but” in these examples, to make your writing sound more intelligent and interesting.

17. However

Usage: Use “however” to introduce a point that disagrees with what you’ve just said. Example: “Scholar A thinks this. However, Scholar B reached a different conclusion.”

18. On the other hand

Usage: Usage of this phrase includes introducing a contrasting interpretation of the same piece of evidence, a different piece of evidence that suggests something else, or an opposing opinion. Example: “The historical evidence appears to suggest a clear-cut situation. On the other hand, the archaeological evidence presents a somewhat less straightforward picture of what happened that day.”

19. Having said that

Usage: Used in a similar manner to “on the other hand” or “but”. Example: “The historians are unanimous in telling us X, an agreement that suggests that this version of events must be an accurate account. Having said that, the archaeology tells a different story.”

20. By contrast/in comparison

Usage: Use “by contrast” or “in comparison” when you’re comparing and contrasting pieces of evidence. Example: “Scholar A’s opinion, then, is based on insufficient evidence. By contrast, Scholar B’s opinion seems more plausible.”

21. Then again

Usage: Use this to cast doubt on an assertion. Example: “Writer A asserts that this was the reason for what happened. Then again, it’s possible that he was being paid to say this.”

22. That said

Usage: This is used in the same way as “then again”. Example: “The evidence ostensibly appears to point to this conclusion. That said, much of the evidence is unreliable at best.”

Usage: Use this when you want to introduce a contrasting idea. Example: “Much of scholarship has focused on this evidence. Yet not everyone agrees that this is the most important aspect of the situation.”

Adding a proviso or acknowledging reservations

Sometimes, you may need to acknowledge a shortfalling in a piece of evidence, or add a proviso. Here are some ways of doing so.

24. Despite this

Usage: Use “despite this” or “in spite of this” when you want to outline a point that stands regardless of a shortfalling in the evidence. Example: “The sample size was small, but the results were important despite this.”

25. With this in mind

Usage: Use this when you want your reader to consider a point in the knowledge of something else. Example: “We’ve seen that the methods used in the 19th century study did not always live up to the rigorous standards expected in scientific research today, which makes it difficult to draw definite conclusions. With this in mind, let’s look at a more recent study to see how the results compare.”

26. Provided that

Usage: This means “on condition that”. You can also say “providing that” or just “providing” to mean the same thing. Example: “We may use this as evidence to support our argument, provided that we bear in mind the limitations of the methods used to obtain it.”

27. In view of/in light of

Usage: These phrases are used when something has shed light on something else. Example: “In light of the evidence from the 2013 study, we have a better understanding of…”

28. Nonetheless

Usage: This is similar to “despite this”. Example: “The study had its limitations, but it was nonetheless groundbreaking for its day.”

29. Nevertheless

Usage: This is the same as “nonetheless”. Example: “The study was flawed, but it was important nevertheless.”

30. Notwithstanding

Usage: This is another way of saying “nonetheless”. Example: “Notwithstanding the limitations of the methodology used, it was an important study in the development of how we view the workings of the human mind.”

Giving examples

Good essays always back up points with examples, but it’s going to get boring if you use the expression “for example” every time. Here are a couple of other ways of saying the same thing.

31. For instance

Example: “Some birds migrate to avoid harsher winter climates. Swallows, for instance, leave the UK in early winter and fly south…”

32. To give an illustration

Example: “To give an illustration of what I mean, let’s look at the case of…”

Signifying importance

When you want to demonstrate that a point is particularly important, there are several ways of highlighting it as such.

33. Significantly

Usage: Used to introduce a point that is loaded with meaning that might not be immediately apparent. Example: “Significantly, Tacitus omits to tell us the kind of gossip prevalent in Suetonius’ accounts of the same period.”

34. Notably

Usage: This can be used to mean “significantly” (as above), and it can also be used interchangeably with “in particular” (the example below demonstrates the first of these ways of using it). Example: “Actual figures are notably absent from Scholar A’s analysis.”

35. Importantly

Usage: Use “importantly” interchangeably with “significantly”. Example: “Importantly, Scholar A was being employed by X when he wrote this work, and was presumably therefore under pressure to portray the situation more favourably than he perhaps might otherwise have done.”

Summarising

You’ve almost made it to the end of the essay, but your work isn’t over yet. You need to end by wrapping up everything you’ve talked about, showing that you’ve considered the arguments on both sides and reached the most likely conclusion. Here are some words and phrases to help you.

36. In conclusion

Usage: Typically used to introduce the concluding paragraph or sentence of an essay, summarising what you’ve discussed in a broad overview. Example: “In conclusion, the evidence points almost exclusively to Argument A.”

37. Above all

Usage: Used to signify what you believe to be the most significant point, and the main takeaway from the essay. Example: “Above all, it seems pertinent to remember that…”

38. Persuasive

Usage: This is a useful word to use when summarising which argument you find most convincing. Example: “Scholar A’s point – that Constanze Mozart was motivated by financial gain – seems to me to be the most persuasive argument for her actions following Mozart’s death.”

39. Compelling

Usage: Use in the same way as “persuasive” above. Example: “The most compelling argument is presented by Scholar A.”

40. All things considered

Usage: This means “taking everything into account”. Example: “All things considered, it seems reasonable to assume that…”

How many of these words and phrases will you get into your next essay? And are any of your favourite essay terms missing from our list? Let us know in the comments below, or get in touch here to find out more about courses that can help you with your essays.

At Oxford Royale Academy, we offer a number of  summer school courses for young people who are keen to improve their essay writing skills. Click here to apply for one of our courses today, including law , business , medicine  and engineering .

Comments are closed.

• Grammar Checker
• Paraphrasing Tool
• Critique Report
• Writing Reports
• Learn Blog Grammar Guide Community Events FAQ
• Grammar Guide

Words to Use in an Essay: 300 Essay Words

By Hannah Yang

Table of Contents

Words to use in the essay introduction, words to use in the body of the essay, words to use in your essay conclusion, how to improve your essay writing vocabulary.

It’s not easy to write an academic essay .

Many students struggle to word their arguments in a logical and concise way.

To make matters worse, academic essays need to adhere to a certain level of formality, so we can’t always use the same word choices in essay writing that we would use in daily life.

If you’re struggling to choose the right words for your essay, don’t worry—you’ve come to the right place!

In this article, we’ve compiled a list of over 300 words and phrases to use in the introduction, body, and conclusion of your essay.

The introduction is one of the hardest parts of an essay to write.

You have only one chance to make a first impression, and you want to hook your reader. If the introduction isn’t effective, the reader might not even bother to read the rest of the essay.

That’s why it’s important to be thoughtful and deliberate with the words you choose at the beginning of your essay.

Many students use a quote in the introductory paragraph to establish credibility and set the tone for the rest of the essay.

When you’re referencing another author or speaker, try using some of these phrases:

To use the words of X

According to X

As X states

Example: To use the words of Hillary Clinton, “You cannot have maternal health without reproductive health.”

Near the end of the introduction, you should state the thesis to explain the central point of your paper.

If you’re not sure how to introduce your thesis, try using some of these phrases:

In this essay, I will…

The purpose of this essay…

This essay discusses…

In this paper, I put forward the claim that…

There are three main arguments for…

Example: In this essay, I will explain why dress codes in public schools are detrimental to students.

After you’ve stated your thesis, it’s time to start presenting the arguments you’ll use to back up that central idea.

When you’re introducing the first of a series of arguments, you can use the following words:

First and foremost

First of all

To begin with

Example: First , consider the effects that this new social security policy would have on low-income taxpayers.

All these words and phrases will help you create a more successful introduction and convince your audience to read on.

The body of your essay is where you’ll explain your core arguments and present your evidence.

It’s important to choose words and phrases for the body of your essay that will help the reader understand your position and convince them you’ve done your research.

Let’s look at some different types of words and phrases that you can use in the body of your essay, as well as some examples of what these words look like in a sentence.

Transition Words and Phrases

Transitioning from one argument to another is crucial for a good essay.

It’s important to guide your reader from one idea to the next so they don’t get lost or feel like you’re jumping around at random.

Transition phrases and linking words show your reader you’re about to move from one argument to the next, smoothing out their reading experience. They also make your writing look more professional.

The simplest transition involves moving from one idea to a separate one that supports the same overall argument. Try using these phrases when you want to introduce a second correlating idea:

Additionally

In addition

Furthermore

Another key thing to remember

In the same way

Correspondingly

Example: Additionally , public parks increase property value because home buyers prefer houses that are located close to green, open spaces.

Another type of transition involves restating. It’s often useful to restate complex ideas in simpler terms to help the reader digest them. When you’re restating an idea, you can use the following words:

In other words

To put it another way

That is to say

To put it more simply

Example: “The research showed that 53% of students surveyed expressed a mild or strong preference for more on-campus housing. In other words , over half the students wanted more dormitory options.”

Often, you’ll need to provide examples to illustrate your point more clearly for the reader. When you’re about to give an example of something you just said, you can use the following words:

For instance

To give an illustration of

To exemplify

To demonstrate

As evidence

Example: Humans have long tried to exert control over our natural environment. For instance , engineers reversed the Chicago River in 1900, causing it to permanently flow backward.

Sometimes, you’ll need to explain the impact or consequence of something you’ve just said.

When you’re drawing a conclusion from evidence you’ve presented, try using the following words:

As a result

Accordingly

As you can see

This suggests that

It follows that

It can be seen that

For this reason

For all of those reasons

Consequently

Example: “There wasn’t enough government funding to support the rest of the physics experiment. Thus , the team was forced to shut down their experiment in 1996.”

When introducing an idea that bolsters one you’ve already stated, or adds another important aspect to that same argument, you can use the following words:

What’s more

Not only…but also

Not to mention

To say nothing of

Another key point

Example: The volcanic eruption disrupted hundreds of thousands of people. Moreover , it impacted the local flora and fauna as well, causing nearly a hundred species to go extinct.

Often, you'll want to present two sides of the same argument. When you need to compare and contrast ideas, you can use the following words:

On the one hand / on the other hand

Alternatively

In contrast to

On the contrary

By contrast

In comparison

Example: On the one hand , the Black Death was undoubtedly a tragedy because it killed millions of Europeans. On the other hand , it created better living conditions for the peasants who survived.

Finally, when you’re introducing a new angle that contradicts your previous idea, you can use the following phrases:

Having said that

Differing from

In spite of

With this in mind

Provided that

Nevertheless

Nonetheless

Notwithstanding

Example: Shakespearean plays are classic works of literature that have stood the test of time. Having said that , I would argue that Shakespeare isn’t the most accessible form of literature to teach students in the twenty-first century.

Good essays include multiple types of logic. You can use a combination of the transitions above to create a strong, clear structure throughout the body of your essay.

Strong Verbs for Academic Writing

Verbs are especially important for writing clear essays. Often, you can convey a nuanced meaning simply by choosing the right verb.

You should use strong verbs that are precise and dynamic. Whenever possible, you should use an unambiguous verb, rather than a generic verb.

For example, alter and fluctuate are stronger verbs than change , because they give the reader more descriptive detail.

Here are some useful verbs that will help make your essay shine.

Verbs that show change:

Accommodate

Verbs that relate to causing or impacting something:

Verbs that show increase:

Verbs that show decrease:

Deteriorate

Verbs that relate to parts of a whole:

Comprises of

Is composed of

Constitutes

Encompasses

Incorporates

Verbs that show a negative stance:

Misconstrue

Verbs that show a positive stance:

Substantiate

Verbs that relate to drawing conclusions from evidence:

Corroborate

Demonstrate

Verbs that relate to thinking and analysis:

Contemplate

Hypothesize

Investigate

Verbs that relate to showing information in a visual format:

Useful Adjectives and Adverbs for Academic Essays

You should use adjectives and adverbs more sparingly than verbs when writing essays, since they sometimes add unnecessary fluff to sentences.

However, choosing the right adjectives and adverbs can help add detail and sophistication to your essay.

Sometimes you'll need to use an adjective to show that a finding or argument is useful and should be taken seriously. Here are some adjectives that create positive emphasis:

Significant

Other times, you'll need to use an adjective to show that a finding or argument is harmful or ineffective. Here are some adjectives that create a negative emphasis:

Controversial

Insignificant

Questionable

Unnecessary

Unrealistic

Finally, you might need to use an adverb to lend nuance to a sentence, or to express a specific degree of certainty. Here are some examples of adverbs that are often used in essays:

Comprehensively

Exhaustively

Extensively

Respectively

Surprisingly

Using these words will help you successfully convey the key points you want to express. Once you’ve nailed the body of your essay, it’s time to move on to the conclusion.

The conclusion of your paper is important for synthesizing the arguments you’ve laid out and restating your thesis.

In your concluding paragraph, try using some of these essay words:

In conclusion

To summarize

In a nutshell

Given the above

As described

All things considered

Example: In conclusion , it’s imperative that we take action to address climate change before we lose our coral reefs forever.

In addition to simply summarizing the key points from the body of your essay, you should also add some final takeaways. Give the reader your final opinion and a bit of a food for thought.

To place emphasis on a certain point or a key fact, use these essay words:

Unquestionably

Undoubtedly

Particularly

Importantly

Conclusively

It should be noted

On the whole

Example: Ada Lovelace is unquestionably a powerful role model for young girls around the world, and more of our public school curricula should include her as a historical figure.

These concluding phrases will help you finish writing your essay in a strong, confident way.

There are many useful essay words out there that we didn't include in this article, because they are specific to certain topics.

If you're writing about biology, for example, you will need to use different terminology than if you're writing about literature.

So how do you improve your vocabulary skills?

The vocabulary you use in your academic writing is a toolkit you can build up over time, as long as you take the time to learn new words.

One way to increase your vocabulary is by looking up words you don’t know when you’re reading.

Try reading more books and academic articles in the field you’re writing about and jotting down all the new words you find. You can use these words to bolster your own essays.

You can also consult a dictionary or a thesaurus. When you’re using a word you’re not confident about, researching its meaning and common synonyms can help you make sure it belongs in your essay.

Don't be afraid of using simpler words. Good essay writing boils down to choosing the best word to convey what you need to say, not the fanciest word possible.

Finally, you can use ProWritingAid’s synonym tool or essay checker to find more precise and sophisticated vocabulary. Click on weak words in your essay to find stronger alternatives.

There you have it: our compilation of the best words and phrases to use in your next essay . Good luck!

Good writing = better grades

ProWritingAid will help you improve the style, strength, and clarity of all your assignments.

Hannah Yang

Hannah Yang is a speculative fiction writer who writes about all things strange and surreal. Her work has appeared in Analog Science Fiction, Apex Magazine, The Dark, and elsewhere, and two of her stories have been finalists for the Locus Award. Her favorite hobbies include watercolor painting, playing guitar, and rock climbing. You can follow her work on hannahyang.com, or subscribe to her newsletter for publication updates.

Get started with ProWritingAid

Drop us a line or let's stay in touch via :

100+ Useful Words and Phrases to Write a Great Essay

By: Author Sophia

Posted on Last updated: October 25, 2023

Sharing is caring!

How to Write a Great Essay in English! This lesson provides 100+ useful words, transition words and expressions used in writing an essay. Let’s take a look!

The secret to a successful essay doesn’t just lie in the clever things you talk about and the way you structure your points.

Useful Words and Phrases to Write a Great Essay

Overview of an essay.

Useful Phrases for Proficiency Essays

Developing the argument

• The first aspect to point out is that…
• Let us start by considering the facts.
• The novel portrays, deals with, revolves around…
• Central to the novel is…
• The character of xxx embodies/ epitomizes…

The other side of the argument

• It would also be interesting to see…
• One should, nevertheless, consider the problem from another angle.
• Equally relevant to the issue are the questions of…
• The arguments we have presented… suggest that…/ prove that…/ would indicate that…
• From these arguments one must…/ could…/ might… conclude that…
• All of this points to the conclusion that…
• To conclude…

Ordering elements

• Firstly,…/ Secondly,…/ Finally,… (note the comma after all these introductory words.)
• As a final point…
• On the one hand, …. on the other hand…
• If on the one hand it can be said that… the same is not true for…
• The first argument suggests that… whilst the second suggests that…
• There are at least xxx points to highlight.

Adding elements

• Furthermore, one should not forget that…
• In addition to…
• Moreover…
• It is important to add that…

Accepting other points of view

• Nevertheless, one should accept that…
• However, we also agree that…

Personal opinion

• We/I personally believe that…
• Our/My own point of view is that…
• It is my contention that…
• I am convinced that…
• My own opinion is…

Others’ opinions

• According to some critics… Critics:
• believe that
• suggest that
• are convinced that
• point out that
• emphasize that
• contend that
• go as far as to say that
• argue for this

Introducing examples

• For example…
• For instance…
• To illustrate this point…

Introducing facts

• It is… true that…/ clear that…/ noticeable that…
• One should note here that…

Saying what you think is true

• This leads us to believe that…
• It is very possible that…
• In view of these facts, it is quite likely that…
• Doubtless,…
• One cannot deny that…
• It is (very) clear from these observations that…
• All the same, it is possible that…
• It is difficult to believe that…

Accepting other points to a certain degree

• One can agree up to a certain point with…
• Certainly,… However,…
• It cannot be denied that…

Emphasizing particular points

• The last example highlights the fact that…
• Not only… but also…
• We would even go so far as to say that…

Moderating, agreeing, disagreeing

• By and large…
• Perhaps we should also point out the fact that…
• It would be unfair not to mention the fact that…
• One must admit that…
• We cannot ignore the fact that…
• One cannot possibly accept the fact that…

Consequences

• From these facts, one may conclude that…
• That is why, in our opinion, …
• Which seems to confirm the idea that…
• Thus,…/ Therefore,…
• Some critics suggest…, whereas others…
• Compared to…
• On the one hand, there is the firm belief that… On the other hand, many people are convinced that…

How to Write a Great Essay | Image 1

How to Write a Great Essay | Image 2

Phrases For Balanced Arguments

Introduction

• It is often said that…
• It is undeniable that…
• It is a well-known fact that…
• One of the most striking features of this text is…
• The first thing that needs to be said is…
• First of all, let us try to analyze…
• One argument in support of…
• We must distinguish carefully between…
• The second reason for…
• An important aspect of the text is…
• It is worth stating at this point that…
• On the other hand, we can observe that…
• The other side of the coin is, however, that…
• Another way of looking at this question is to…
• What conclusions can be drawn from all this?
• The most satisfactory conclusion that we can come to is…
• To sum up… we are convinced that…/ …we believe that…/ …we have to accept that…

How to Write a Great Essay | Image 3

• Recent Posts
• Plural of Process in the English Grammar - October 3, 2023
• Best Kahoot Names: Get Creative with These Fun Ideas! - October 2, 2023
• List of Homophones for English Learners - September 30, 2023

Related posts:

• How to Write a Letter: A Guide to Informal and Formal English
• How to Write Informal Letters in English (with Examples)
• Most Commonly Used English Phrases on the Phone
• Asking for Help, Asking for Opinions and Asking for Approval

Nur Syuhadah Zainuddin

Friday 19th of August 2022

thank u so much its really usefull

12thSeahorse

Wednesday 3rd of August 2022

He or she who masters the English language rules the world!

Friday 25th of March 2022

Thank you so so much, this helped me in my essays with A+

Theophilus Muzvidziwa

Friday 11th of March 2022

Monday 21st of February 2022

300+ Words To Use In An Essay

Here is our top list of essay words you can add to your writing.

Any student or academic will tell you writing academic papers requires patience, thorough research, and appropriate words to relay ideas effectively. Below, we have prepared a list of essay words for your essay or academic piece’s introduction, body, and conclusion.

What Are Essay Words?

Essay words printable, essay words for the introduction, essay words for giving examples, essay words for highlighting arguments, essay words for showing sequence, essay words for adding information, essay words for comparing and contrasting ideas, essay words for the conclusion, what is the one word that can be applied to this kind of essay, what words can i use when writing an essay, what are other words for you in an essay, what are the 5 types of essays.

Along with a paper’s arguments, format, and structure, essay words are used to adequately explain the subject in a formal but clear manner. Picking the correct phrases and words helps your audience realize your key point and persuade them to follow your thinking.

Plus, applying suitable words to introduce and expound ideas convinces your readers that you’ve done your research correctly. These English essay words are also helpful if you spend time paraphrasing the ideas of other writers and academics. If you need more help, consider using a good essay checker .

Good Vocabulary Words to Use in Essays

Here are some common essay words you can use:

Most academic essays require a formal writing style because using informal writing makes it hard to edit and grade based on a standard the school or university gives. Even personal and narrative essays must stay formal. These are the words to create and enhance your introduction without losing the sense of formality in academic writing.

According to the most recent data, more employees prefer working at home than in the office.

This essay will address the issue of gender inequality in the workforce.

In this essay, we will analyze the various factors that contribute to climate change.

The approach we’ll use in discussing this topic involves a combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Some experts argue that human activities are the major contributors to global warming.

The author asserts that the lack of early education is one of the main drivers of economic inequality.

Let’s assume for a moment that we’ve already optimized all renewable energy sources.

Before we begin analyzing the effects of the problem, we must first know the root of it.

This essay takes a broad look at the implications of global warming on agricultural productivity.

• Challenging

Drug addiction is the most challenging global problem every government must solve.

Mental illness is a topic with many complex issues.

We will consider both sides of the argument before drawing conclusions.

• Significance

What is the significance of following rules?

In the context of this discussion, “productivity” refers to the output of a worker per hour.

Mental health is a sensitive topic affecting people of all ages.

There is a debate about the effectiveness of the new tax policy in reducing income disparity.

This essay will detail the causes and effects of deforestation.

Our task is to determine the causes of the rise in mental health issues among college students.

We will discuss the ethical implications of genetic engineering in this essay.

This essay will elaborate on the role of social movements in bringing about societal change.

In the next section, the researchers will enumerate the benefits of adopting a plant-based diet.

We will evaluate the impact of climate change on biodiversity.

This essay will explore the important aspect of artificial intelligence in modern healthcare.

To understand the subject better, we will first discuss its history.

First and foremost , it’s essential to understand that not all politicians are bad.

We can learn a lot from the book “ The Little Prince ,” such as about the fundamental nature of love.

The essay will highlight the importance of community participation in local governance.

This essay will illuminate the effects of screen time on children’s development.

This essay will introduce the concept of sustainable development and its significance.

The main goal of this essay is to discuss the value of justice in our lives.

There’s a myriad of factors that affect a country’s tourism.

The objective of this essay is to spread awareness about the violence women and children face daily. 

An overview of the current state of renewable energy technologies will be provided in this essay.

We will present an argument in favor of implementing more stringent environmental regulations.

Lack of knowledge in managing finances is a prevalent problem today.

A good speaker delivers their speech without referring to notes.

In this essay, we will review studies related to the impact of social media on teenagers.

Let’s shed some light on the impact of fast fashion on the environment in this essay.

The youth’s mental state today has been disturbed by societal pressures, such as the impossible beauty standards they see on social media. 

Research suggests that adolescent mental health can be severely affected by excessive screen time.

• To that end

To that end , this essay aims to challenge conventional thinking and inspire more inclusive practices in our communities.

This essay will touch on the issue of gender disparity in corporate leadership.

We will unpack the factors contributing to the rapid development of technology.

My essay aims to validate the hypothesis that a healthier diet can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease.

This essay will weigh the pros and cons of genetic modification in agriculture.

We’ll zoom in on the specific impacts of pollution on marine ecosystems in this essay.

Essays need examples to present arguments and illustrate cases. Examples support claims offer evidence, make complex concepts easier for readers, and usually lead to higher grades! Knowing several essay words for giving examples is vital to avoid the repetition of similar words or phrases. 

Akin to the effects of climate change, deforestation also leads to a significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions.

To analogize, the effect of deforestation on our planet is like removing the lungs from a living organism.

It appears from recent studies that regular exercise can improve mental health.

Our justice system’s flaws are apparent, such as in the case of O.J. Simpson , who was acquitted despite murdering his wife.

To clarify, this essay argues that renewable energy is more sustainable than fossil fuels.

This essay conveys the importance of cultivating empathy in a diverse society.

• Corroborate

Recent studies corroborate the theory that mindfulness meditation can reduce stress.

• Demonstrate

Statistics demonstrate a significant correlation between diet and heart disease.

This essay will depict the socio-economic impacts of the ongoing pandemic.

Current research discloses a worrying trend of increasing cyber threats.

The data displays a significant increase in the usage of renewable energy sources.

To elucidate, this essay aims to explore the intricate relationship between mental health and social media use.

The evidence suggests that pollution is a major factor contributing to global warming.

The effects of climate change exemplify the urgent need for environmental preservation.

The graphs below exhibit the significant impact of human activities on climate change.

• For example

For example, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can significantly lower the risk of heart disease.

• For instance

For instance, aerobic exercises like running and swimming improve cardiovascular health.

• I.e. (Id est)

A healthy lifestyle, i.e., a balanced diet and regular exercise, can prevent numerous diseases.

This essay will illustrate how technology has transformed modern education.

Imagine if we could harness all the power from the sun; we would have an unlimited source of clean energy.

• In other words

In other words, this essay will deconstruct the complexities of artificial intelligence in layman’s terms.

The data indicates a steady decline in the population of bees worldwide.

Like a domino effect, one small change can trigger a series of events in an ecosystem.

This essay will outline the main strategies for maintaining mental wellness amid a pandemic.

This essay seeks to portray the various forms of discrimination prevalent in society.

• Pretend that

Pretend that each tree cut down is a breath of air taken away; perhaps then we’ll understand the severity of deforestation.

The melting polar ice caps are undeniable proof of global warming.

This essay proposes a holistic approach to dealing with the issue of cyberbullying.

Each data point represents a respondent’s opinion in the survey.

Recent studies reveal a direct correlation between screen time and sleep disorders.

The experts say that practicing mindfulness can help reduce anxiety.

The graphs show a significant increase in the global temperature over the past century.

Similar to how a car needs fuel to run, our bodies need a balanced diet for optimal performance.

The current situation with the global pandemic has underscored the importance of mental health.

• Substantiate

The studies substantiate the claim that smoking can lead to a multitude of health issues.

In this context, melting ice caps symbolize the urgent need for climate action.

The data tells us that stress levels have spiked during the pandemic.

The increasing global temperatures are a testament to the impact of human activities on climate change.

• To give an idea

To give an idea, think of the human brain as a super-computer, continuously processing and storing information.

The goal of this essay is to underline the importance of sustainable practices.

The findings verify the hypothesis that meditation can improve mental health.

These words appear throughout the essay but are mainly for the body. You can use these words to effectively show the importance of an argument and emphasize essential paragraphs in your essay.

Above all, it’s essential to maintain a balance between work and personal life for overall well-being.

• Acknowledge

We must acknowledge the crucial role of teachers in shaping the future of our society.

Environmentalists advocate for sustainable practices to mitigate climate change effects.

The research affirms the beneficial impact of regular exercise on mental health.

The government is taking measures to amplify the reach of digital literacy.

Adding evidence from credible sources can bolster your argument in an essay.

The author cites numerous studies to support his theory of human behavior.

• Conclusively

Conclusively, the findings suggest a strong correlation between diet and heart health.

The experiments confirm the effectiveness of the vaccine against the virus.

Some experts contend that implementing a carbon tax reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

These new findings contradict the previously held beliefs about the origins of the universe.

The president will declare a state of emergency in a few days.

Exercise can definitely improve your mood and energy levels.

The speaker emphasizes the need for more mental health services.

Many celebrities endorse the idea of adopting a plant-based diet for environmental reasons.

Children, especially, should be taught the value of resilience from an early age.

These viral scandals expose the corruption within the political system.

The law expressly forbids discrimination based on race or gender.

The situation is extremely concerning and requires immediate attention.

The fact is that climate change is a reality we must confront.

We should focus on adopting renewable sources of energy to mitigate climate change.

• Fundamentally

Fundamentally, equality is a basic human right that everyone deserves.

The data seems to imply a shift in consumer behavior towards sustainable products.

• Importantly

Importantly, regular check-ups are crucial for early detection of diseases.

• in light of

In light of recent research, it’s vital to re-examine the previous findings.

Regular exercise, indeed, has been proven to reduce the risk of chronic illnesses.

• Irrefutable

The damaging effects of plastic pollution on marine life are irrefutable .

We must maintain a commitment to practice sustainability in our daily lives.

• Make certain of

Before the researchers start any experiments, they must make certain of procedures and goals.

Several factors contribute to climate change, namely deforestation, industrial pollution, and urbanization.

It’s necessary to reduce our carbon footprint to protect the planet.

Notably, the use of renewable energy has been making significant progress in recent years.

Obviously, a balanced diet and regular exercise are key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

• On the whole

On the whole, implementing green practices can significantly improve our environmental impact.

• Particularly

Air pollution is a concern, particularly in densely populated cities.

The study points out the beneficial effects of meditation in reducing stress.

The organization is primarily focused on promoting gender equality.

The success stories reinforce the importance of perseverance and hard work.

I would like to reiterate the need for consistent efforts in maintaining mental health.

• Significantly

Regular physical activity can significantly decrease the risk of heart disease.

The project was singularly successful due to the dedicated efforts of the team.

• Specifically

The legislation specifically targets unfair practices in the industry.

Ultimately, the decision rests on the collective agreement of the team.

Alice in Wonderland syndrome, or AIWS , is undeniably one of the rarest diseases.

• Undoubtedly

Undoubtedly, regular reading considerably enhances vocabulary and comprehension skills.

• Unquestionably

Unquestionably, education plays a pivotal role in societal development.

These words show the order of events or progress in an essay. They are used to give examples to further expound on a point or introduce another concept. However, be careful that each paragraph should only focus on one idea.

After completing the coursework, the students began preparing for the final exams.

The team celebrated their victory, afterwards, they began to prepare for the next season.

He accepted the job, albeit with some reservations.

As soon as the rain stopped, we left for our hike.

Before the introduction of modern technology, tasks were manually done.

• Concurrently

The two events were happening concurrently, no wonder there was a scheduling conflict.

• Consecutively

She was late for work three days consecutively .

• Consequently

He forgot his wallet, consequently, he couldn’t pay for lunch.

• Continually

The organization is continually striving to improve its services.

She loves the beach. Conversely, he prefers the mountains.

The team is currently working on the new project.

During the conference, several new initiatives were announced.

Earlier in the day, we had discussed the pros and cons.

Eventually, she managed to finish her book.

Firstly, we need to identify the root of the problem.

Following the events yesterday, we decided to meet up today.

He was tired, hence he went to bed early.

Henceforth, all meetings will be held in the new conference room.

Hereafter, we must ensure that all protocols are strictly followed.

• Immediately

He left immediately after the meeting.

• In the interim

In the interim, we’ll continue with our current strategies.

• In the meantime

In the meantime, let’s clean up the workspace.

• Incidentally

Incidentally, I came across this book while cleaning my attic.

With the constant disagreements, the project inevitably failed.

She invariably arrives late for meetings.

We decided to postpone the discussion for later .

Latterly, there has been a surge in the use of online learning platforms.

He will cook dinner. Meanwhile, I will set the table.

• Momentarily

He was momentarily distracted by the noise.

Next, we need to review the project plan.

• Periodically

The software updates periodically to ensure optimal performance.

She is presently attending a conference in New York.

Previously, we discussed the risks involved in the project.

Prior to the event, we need to finalize all arrangements.

• Sequentially

The tasks must be completed sequentially .

• Simultaneously

We cannot handle multiple tasks simultaneously .

She will arrive soon .

• Subsequently

He completed his degree and subsequently found a job in the field.

The power suddenly went out.

He got promoted and thereafter received a substantial raise in salary.

Thereupon, he decided to retire and write a book.

Thus, we conclude our discussion.

Keep stirring until the sugar dissolves.

We will begin when everyone arrives.

Call me whenever you need help.

While she cooked the meal, he set the table.

No matter what type of essay you write, it should remain informative. Words used to add information create flow, expand arguments, and incorporate details that support your points.

She’s asking him about that project the boss wants them to do.

The results were not as bad as anticipated; actually, they were quite good.

This is a great product; in addition, it’s very affordable.

• Additionally

The car is economical; additionally, it’s environmentally friendly.

She tried again after failing the first time.

He worked alongside his colleagues to complete the project.

We will also need to consider the budget.

• Alternatively

If the plan fails, we could alternatively try a different approach.

She likes to read books and watch movies.

He is open to another perspective on the matter.

She will attend the meeting as well .

The project will assuredly be completed on time.

Besides the main dish, we also have a variety of desserts.

She will certainly appreciate the gesture.

The rules were clearly explained to everyone.

This is a problem commonly encountered in this field.

• Complementary

The two studies are complementary, providing a comprehensive understanding of the issue.

• Correspondingly

The workload increased, and correspondingly, the need for more staff became apparent.

The increased workload, coupled with tight deadlines, created a stressful atmosphere.

The team members contributed equally to the project.

The cake was delicious, and the icing made it even more enjoyable.

• Furthermore

He is qualified for the job; furthermore, he has relevant experience.

• In addition

She is a great leader; in addition, she is an excellent communicator.

• In contrast

He is outgoing; in contrast, his brother is quite shy.

She did not like the book; in fact, she found it boring.

• In particular

She loves flowers, roses in particular .

It appears simple; in reality, it’s quite complex.

• In the same way

He treats all his employees fairly, in the same way he would like to be treated.

He enjoys reading; likewise, his sister loves books.

• More importantly

She passed the exam; more importantly, she scored highest in the class.

The house is beautiful; moreover, it’s located in a great neighborhood.

• Not only… but also

He is not only a talented musician, but also a great teacher.

• On the one hand

On the one hand, he enjoys his current job; on the other, he aspires for a higher position.

• On top of that

The food was delicious; on top of that, the service was excellent.

She has impressive qualifications; plus, she has a lot of experience.

He was disheartened after failing the exam; similarly, she was upset after losing the match.

He woke up late, and then rushed to work.

He is a skilled programmer; to add, he has an exceptional understanding of user experience design.

• Together with

He completed the project together with his team.

She is tired, and she is hungry too .

• With this in mind

With this in mind, we should proceed cautiously.

These are words used to include information that confirms or disagrees with a point in your essay. Words that compare and contrast ideas are common in argumentative essays . It’s because this type demands a counterargument to fairly present other experts’ take on the issue.

He went to work although he was feeling unwell.

• Analogous to

The structure of an atom is analogous to our solar system.

• As opposed to

She prefers tea as opposed to coffee.

• By the same token

He is a great teacher; by the same token, he is a superb mentor.

• Comparatively

My new laptop works comparatively faster than the old one.

Upon comparison, his work proved far superior.

• Contrariwise

The day was hot; contrariwise, the night was chilly.

Contrary to his usual behavior, he arrived on time.

Her efforts are directly correlated to her success.

His words were counter to his actions.

Despite the rain, they continued the game.

• Different from

His opinion is different from mine.

Their views on the subject are disparate .

• Dissimilar to

His style of writing is dissimilar to that of his peers.

• Distinct from

Her dress is distinct from the others.

• Divergent from

His findings are divergent from the initial hypothesis.

• Equivalent to

His happiness was equivalent to that of a child.

He failed the test; however, he didn’t stop trying.

• In comparison

In comparison, his work is of a higher standard.

He gave a donation in lieu of flowers.

• In like manner

She dresses in like manner to her sister.

• In opposition to

He voted in opposition to the proposed bill.

• In spite of

In spite of the challenges, she never gave up.

• In the same vein

In the same vein, he continued his argument.

He chose to walk instead of taking the bus.

Just as Rome wasn’t built in a day, success doesn’t come overnight.

Much as I appreciate your help, I must do this on my own.

• Nevertheless

He was tired; nevertheless, he continued to work.

• Notwithstanding

Notwithstanding the difficulties, he completed the task on time.

• On the contrary

He is not lazy; on the contrary, he is a hard worker.

• Opposite of

Joy is the opposite of sorrow.

His life parallels that of his father.

• Rather than

She chose to laugh rather than cry.

• Regardless of

Regardless of the consequences, he went ahead with his plan.

His answer is the same as mine.

• Set side by side

When set side by side, the differences are clear.

Though he was late, he still got the job.

Unlike his brother, he is very outgoing.

It was a match of experience versus youth.

He is tall, whereas his brother is short.

He is rich, yet very humble.

The conclusion is an essential part of the essay. The concluding paragraph or section reiterates important points, leaves the readers with something to think about, and wraps up the essay nicely so it doesn’t end abruptly. 

• Accordingly

He performed well on the job; accordingly, he was promoted.

• After all is said and done

After all is said and done, it’s the kindness that counts.

All in all, the concert was a great success.

• All things considered

All things considered, I think we made the best decision.

The event, altogether, was a memorable one.

• As a final observation

As a final observation, her dedication to the project was commendable.

• As a final point

As a final point, the successes outweighed the failures.

• As a result

He worked hard; as a result, he achieved his goals.

His actions were inappropriate; as such, he was reprimanded.

• By and large

By and large, the feedback has been positive.

The event was, chiefly, a success.

In close, I must say the performance was extraordinary.

The evidence was compelling and led to his conviction.

• Effectively

The team effectively handled the project.

• Everything considered

Everything considered, the trip was beneficial.

Evidently, he was not involved in the crime.

Finally, she announced her decision.

• In a nutshell

In a nutshell, the plan was not effective.

• In conclusion

In conclusion, we need to strive for better communication.

• In drawing things to a close

In drawing things to a close, I’d like to thank everyone for their contributions.

In essence, we need to focus on quality, not quantity.

• In retrospect

In retrospect, our methodology was correct.

In summary, the event was a success.

In the end, hard work always pays off.

• In the final analysis

In the final analysis, the project was a success.

• Last but not the least

Last but not the least, we need to thank our sponsors.

Lastly, don’t forget to enjoy the process.

On balance, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

Overall, it was a productive meeting.

Summarily, we need to focus on our key strengths.

The report summarizes the main findings of the study.

Summing up, we made significant progress this year.

• Taking everything into account

Taking everything into account, it was a successful campaign.

He was ill; therefore, he couldn’t attend the meeting.

• To cap it all off

To cap it all off, we had a great time at the party.

To close, we need your continued support.

• To conclude

To conclude, let’s aim for higher targets next year.

To finish, remember that success comes to those who dare.

To sum up, we achieved our objectives.

• Without a doubt

Without a doubt, it was an unforgettable experience.

To wrap up, it was a journey worth taking.

Learning how to use the right essay words is just one of the many writing skills students and those writing in academia must develop. Others include a good knowledge of grammar and an ability to write an essay that’s readable and accurate. It just takes practice. Check out our guide packed with transition words for essays .

Some words that could be used to describe different kinds of essays include argumentative, persuasive, expository, narrative, descriptive, analytical, compare and contrast, cause and effect, reflective, and personal.

When writing an essay, it’s important to choose appropriate and effective words to express your ideas clearly and concisely. Here are some words you can use to enhance your essay writing: 1. First, secondly, third 2. Moreover, furthermore, additionally 3. In addition, also, likewise 4. However, nevertheless, yet 5. Although, despite, regardless

Here are some other words that can be used as alternatives for “you” in an essay: yourself, oneself, one, someone, somebody, anyone, everybody, people, individuals, persons, others, them, they, yourselves, thou, thee.

1. Narrative essays 2. Descriptive essays 3. Expository essays 4. Persuasive essays 5. Argumentative essay

100 Words and Phrases to use in an Essay

Thomas Babb

Writing a compelling essay involves much more than simply putting your thoughts on paper. It demands the use of a precise vocabulary that not only enriches your content but also structures it in a way that is both logical and engaging. The right words and phrases can transform your essay from a basic assignment to an insightful and persuasive piece of writing.

This guide introduces you to 100 essential words and phrases recommended by expert English tutors that will help you convey your ideas more effectively. From adding information to expressing contrasts, and from illustrating examples to summarising your points, these carefully selected terms will enhance the clarity and impact of your essays.

Adding Information

When crafting an essay, integrating additional details effectively can enrich the written content and present a well-rounded argument. Here's how you can use each phrase under this category:

1. Furthermore - Use this to add weight to a point already mentioned, providing further evidence without redundancy.

2. Moreover - Similar to "furthermore," it introduces information that not only adds to the argument but enhances it.

3. Similarly - This indicates that the upcoming point shares notable characteristics with the previous one, aiding in drawing parallels.

4. Additionally - Introduces extra information or arguments that augment the current discussion.

5. Also - A simpler form of "additionally" that integrates extra facts smoothly.

6. Likewise - Indicates similarity and supports points by showing how they relate to each other in terms of qualities or actions.

7. In addition - This phrase is useful for contributing additional supportive details in a clear manner.

8. As well as - Functions to include another subject or item into your discussion without diverging from the main topic.

9. Not only... but also - A powerful structure for emphasizing not just one, but two important points, enhancing the depth of the argument.

10. Alongside - Implies that the information being added runs parallel to the already established facts, reinforcing them.

These phrases, when used correctly, help to build a strong, cohesive narrative flow in your essays, guiding the reader through a logical progression of ideas. For more on enhancing your writing with effective information addition, explore resources like Oxford Royale's Essay Writing Tips .

Introducing Examples

Introducing concrete examples is crucial in illustrating and supporting your claims effectively in an essay. Here’s how to use each word or phrase linked to this category:

11. For instance - Introduces a specific example that illuminates a broader point, helping to clarify complex ideas.

12. For example - Functions similarly to "for instance," offering a direct illustration to support or demonstrate a claim.

13. Such as - Prepares the reader for an example that is part of a larger category, typically used to list items or concepts.

14. Like - Introduces comparisons or examples in a casual and relatable manner.

15. Particularly - Highlights an example that is especially relevant to the argument, focusing attention on significant details.

16. In particular - Similar to "particularly," but often used to introduce a standout example that underscores a critical point.

17. Including - Serves to add examples to a list that may already be understood to be part of the topic being discussed.

18. Namely - Specifies and introduces exact and often multiple examples or details directly related to the point.

19. Chiefly - Points to the most important or significant examples or reasons in support of an argument.

20. Mainly - Indicates that the examples provided are the primary ones to consider, focusing on the most relevant instances.

Effective use of these phrases not only clarifies your points but also strengthens your arguments by making abstract concepts tangible. For detailed guidance on how to incorporate examples effectively in your essays, refer to academic resources like Harvard College Writing Center .

Demonstrating Contrast

IB English tutors suggest that Using contrast effectively in your essays can highlight differences that clarify your points or show alternative perspectives. Here’s how to use each phrase to demonstrate contrast:

21. Conversely - Signals a stark contrast to what has just been discussed, often introducing an opposing viewpoint.

22. However - A versatile tool to introduce a contradiction or counterpoint, breaking from the previous line of reasoning.

23. Nevertheless - Indicates persistence of a stated fact or opinion despite the contrasting information that follows.

24. On the other hand - Used to present a different perspective or an alternative to the argument previously mentioned.

25. Although - Begins a sentence where the main clause contrasts with the lesser significant, conditional clause.

26. Even though - Similar to "although," but often emphasizes a stronger degree of contrast between the conflicting elements.

27. But - A simple and direct way to introduce a contradiction to the preceding statement.

28. Yet - Suggests a contrast that is surprising or unexpected based on the previous statements.

29. Instead - Introduces an alternative action or thought in response to what has been previously discussed.

30. Rather - Used to correct or propose a different idea from what was initially stated or understood.

These phrases are essential for essays where comparing and contrasting ideas, arguments, or perspectives is necessary to deepen understanding or enhance the argument’s complexity. To learn more about using contrast in writing, visit educational resources such as Purdue Online Writing Lab .

Showing Cause and Effect

A-Level English tutors point out that effectively indicating cause and effect relationships in your essays helps clarify the reasons things happen and the consequences that follow. Here’s how to use each word or phrase to illustrate these relationships:

31. Consequently - Signals a direct result from the action or situation mentioned, highlighting the effect or outcome.

32. Therefore - Used to introduce a logical conclusion or result that follows from the reasoning presented earlier.

33. Thus - Indicates a conclusion or result that is a natural consequence of the facts previously mentioned.

34. Hence - Similar to "thus," it conveys a consequence that is a logical extension from the argument or data presented.

35. Accordingly - Shows that an action or decision is a logical response to the circumstances or facts discussed.

36. As a result - Directly points out the outcome or effect resulting from a specific cause or set of conditions.

37. This leads to - Introduces a sequence where one event or fact causes another, often used to chain multiple effects.

38. It follows that - Used when deducing a conclusion that logically arises from the preceding argument or evidence.

39. Leading to - Connects an initial action or decision directly with its consequences, highlighting a progression of events.

40. Contributing to - Indicates that the action or event adds to a situation, leading to a particular result or effect.

Mastering the use of these phrases can enhance the persuasive power of your writing by clearly linking actions and their consequences.

Adding Emphasis

Effectively emphasising key points in your essays can make your arguments more compelling and memorable. Here’s how to appropriately use each word or phrase to add emphasis:

41. Significantly - Indicates that something is of great importance or consequence, drawing the reader's attention to the gravity of the point being made.

42. Importantly - Prioritises the following information as crucial for understanding the argument or situation.

43. Indeed - Reinforces the truth of a statement, often used to confirm and agree with a previously mentioned point that might be surprising or emphatic.

44. Absolutely - A strong affirmation that leaves no doubt about the veracity or importance of the statement.

45. Definitely - Communicates certainty about a fact or opinion, strengthening the author's stance.

46. Certainly - Similar to "definitely," it expresses a high degree of assurance about the information being provided.

47. Undoubtedly - Suggests that there is no doubt about the statement, reinforcing its truth and relevance.

48. Without a doubt - A more emphatic form of "undoubtedly," eliminating any ambiguity about the point’s validity.

49. Particularly - Highlights specific information as especially significant within a broader context.

50. Especially - Used to indicate that something holds more significance than other elements, often emphasizing exceptional cases or instances.

Using these expressions strategically can enhance the persuasive impact of your writing by underscoring the most critical elements of your argument. To see more words and further explore techniques for adding emphasis in academic writing, visit resources like Cambridge Dictionary Blog .

Explaining and Clarifying

In academic essays, clearly explaining and clarifying complex ideas is essential for effective communication. IGCSE tutors and GCSE tutors suggest that each of these phrases can be used to enhance understanding:

51. That is to say - Used to introduce a rephrasing or elaboration on something that has just been stated.

52. In other words - Helps clarify a statement by expressing it in different terms for better understanding.

53. To put it another way - Similar to "in other words," it offers an alternative explanation or perspective to ensure clarity.

54. To clarify - Directly states the intent to make something clearer or to resolve any misunderstandings.

55. To explain - Introduces a detailed explanation aimed at enhancing understanding of a complex issue or point.

56. This means that - Connects a statement or idea to its implications or necessary interpretations.

57. This implies - Suggests a deeper, often unspoken consequence or meaning behind the given information.

58. Put simply - Introduces a simpler or more straightforward version of what has been discussed, making it more accessible.

59. In simpler terms - Another phrase to ease comprehension by breaking down complex concepts into basic language.

60. Thus - Concludes an explanation by summarizing the logical result or conclusion derived from the argument made.

Using these phrases effectively can help articulate intricate arguments in a more digestible format, aiding the reader’s understanding and engagement.

Summarising and Concluding

Expert IB tutors and A-Level tutors recommend that effectively summarising and concluding your essays is crucial for reinforcing your main points and providing a satisfying closure to any persuasive essay. Here’s how to use each word or phrase to effectively wrap up your discussions:

61. In conclusion - Signals the beginning of the final summary, clearly stating that the argument is drawing to a close.

62. To sum up - Introduces a concise summary of the key points discussed, often used before the final conclusion.

63. Ultimately - Indicates a final, overarching conclusion derived from the arguments and evidence presented.

64. Finally - Marks the introduction of the last point or an additional important point that concludes the discussion.

65. Lastly - Similar to "finally," it is used to introduce the final argument or point in the list.

66. To conclude - Directly states the intent to wrap up the essay, leading into a summary of the main findings.

67. In summary - Offers a recap of the essential elements discussed, reinforcing the thesis without introducing new information.

68. All things considered - Provides an overall conclusion, taking into account all the points made throughout the essay.

69. In the final analysis - Suggests a thorough consideration of all aspects discussed, leading to a concluding viewpoint.

70. After all - Implies that the conclusion takes into account all arguments and evidences previously presented.

Mastering the use of these concluding phrases ensures that your essay ends on a strong note, summarising key points and reinforcing your argument.

Discussing Similarities

Highlighting similarities effectively can enhance your argument by showing connections and parallels between ideas or topics. Here’s how to use each phrase to discuss similarities in your essays:

71. Similarly - Indicates that what follows is in alignment with the previous statement, reinforcing the connection between two points.

72. Likewise - Also used to show agreement or similarity, it confirms that the upcoming point supports the previous one in terms of characteristics or outcomes.

73. Just as - Introduces a comparison, suggesting that the situation or argument is equivalent to another.

74. As with - Used before mentioning another example, indicating that it shares properties or conditions with what has been discussed.

75. Equally - Implies that two or more elements are on the same level in terms of importance, quality, or characteristics.

76. Analogous to - Introduces a more formal comparison, indicating that one situation is comparable to another, often used in more scientific or technical discussions.

77. Comparable to - Suggests that two things can be likened to each other, providing a basis for comparison.

78. In the same way - Confirms that the action, process, or idea mirrors another, reinforcing the similarity.

79. Just like - A more casual phrase used to draw a direct comparison, making the similarity clear and understandable.

80. Similarly important - Asserts that the importance or relevance of two or more aspects is equal, emphasising their comparative significance.

Utilising these phrases allows you to effectively link concepts and arguments, showing how they complement or mirror each other, which can strengthen your overall thesis. For further reading on comparing and contrasting ideas effectively, the University of North Carolina Writing Center offers excellent resources.

Providing Alternatives

Offering alternatives in your essays can demonstrate critical thinking by showing different possibilities or approaches. Here’s how to use each word or phrase to introduce alternative ideas:

81. Alternatively - Introduces a different option or suggestion, providing another route or perspective.

82. On the contrary - Used to present a direct opposition to the previously mentioned idea, emphasising a contrasting point.

83. Rather - Suggests a preference for one choice over another, typically used to propose a different approach or opinion.

84. Conversely - Indicates a reversal of what has been previously stated, introducing an opposing viewpoint.

85. Instead - Specifies a substitute or replacement, clearly stating that one option is to be considered in place of another.

86. On the flip side - Introduces a contrasting scenario or viewpoint in a more informal manner, often used in conversational or less formal writing.

87. Rather than - Presents a comparison between two choices, highlighting a preference for one over the other.

88. As an alternative - Explicitly states the introduction of a different option or method, providing variety to the discussion.

89. Either...or - Sets up a choice between two distinct options, forcing a decision that impacts the argument’s direction.

90. Neither...nor - Used to deny two possibilities simultaneously, often restructuring the argument by excluding common options.

Incorporating these phrases allows you to explore and present multiple facets of an issue, enriching the essay’s depth and persuasiveness. For tips on effectively presenting alternative arguments, visit Harvard College Writing Center .

Expressing Conditions

Effectively expressing conditions in your essays can help outline scenarios where certain outcomes or arguments hold true. Here’s how to use each word or phrase to specify conditions:

91. If - Introduces a conditional statement, setting up a scenario where a specific result depends on a preceding condition.

92. Unless - Specifies an exception to a general rule or statement, indicating that a condition will change the outcome if not met.

93. Provided that - Sets a stipulation or requirement for a scenario to occur, emphasizing that certain conditions must be satisfied.

94. Assuming that - Suggests a hypothesis or a precondition that needs to be accepted before proceeding with an argument or conclusion.

95. In case - Prepares for a situation that might occur, setting up precautions or actions based on potential scenarios.

96. Even if - Acknowledges that even under certain circumstances, the primary argument or conclusion still holds.

97. Only if - Restricts the conditions under which a statement or outcome is valid, narrowing down the scenarios to very specific ones.

98. Whether - Presents alternatives, usually offering a choice between possibilities within the condition stated.

99. As long as - Indicates that a condition is contingent upon the duration or continuation of a specified situation.

100. Given that - Introduces a premise as a fact, assuming its truth for the sake of argument or to advance the discussion.

Final Thoughts

In crafting compelling essays, the strategic use of specific words and phrases can significantly enhance both the clarity and persuasiveness of your writing. By mastering the use of these 100 essential terms, students can effectively structure their essays, convey complex ideas, and articulate contrasts and comparisons with precision. Each category of phrases serves a unique purpose, from adding information to providing alternatives, which empowers writers to construct well-rounded arguments and engage their readers more deeply.

As you continue to refine your essay-writing skills, remember that the power of your arguments often lies in the details—the precise words and phrases you choose to express your thoughts. The power of a well crafted essay introduction and precise essay conclusion should also not be overlooked. By integrating these tools into your writing repertoire, you are better equipped to present clear, persuasive, and engaging essays that stand out in academic settings.

How can I improve my essay planning process?

Effective essay planning begins with a clear understanding of the essay question. Break down the question to identify key terms and the required response. Create an outline to organise your main points and supporting arguments logically. Consider using a mind map to visually plot connections between ideas, which can spur creative thinking. Allocate time for research, writing, and revision within your plan. Practising essay plans for different questions can enhance your ability to organise thoughts quickly and efficiently, a crucial skill especially under exam conditions.

What makes an essay introduction effective?

An effective introduction grabs the reader's attention, sets the tone, and provides a clear thesis statement. Start with a hook such as a provocative question, a startling statistic, or a compelling quote. Provide some background information to set the context, ensuring it's directly relevant to the essay's question. The thesis statement should be concise and outline your main argument or response to the question. This setup not only intrigues but also informs the reader about the essay's focus, establishing your understanding and control of the subject.

How do I choose the best evidence for my essay?

The best evidence is relevant, credible, and supports your thesis directly. Use primary sources where possible as they provide first-hand accounts that you can analyse directly. When primary sources are not available, rely on peer-reviewed journals and reputable publications. Diversify your sources to avoid over-reliance on a single type of evidence, and critically evaluate sources for bias and reliability. Properly integrating this evidence into your argument involves summarising, paraphrasing, and quoting sources while always linking back to your main argument.

How can I make my essay arguments more persuasive?

To make your arguments more persuasive, begin with a clear, assertive thesis statement. Structure your essay so each paragraph introduces a single point supporting your thesis. Use credible evidence and explain how this supports your argument. Address potential counterarguments to show the depth of your understanding and strengthen your position by demonstrating why your approach is preferable. Employing a confident but respectful tone and precise language also enhances the persuasiveness of your essay.

What are common pitfalls in essay writing to avoid?

Common pitfalls in essay writing include poor structure, weak thesis statements, and lack of coherence. Avoiding these starts with a robust plan and clear outline. Stay on topic by linking each paragraph back to your thesis statement. Avoid plagiarism by properly citing all sources. Overly complex sentence structures can confuse readers, so strive for clarity and conciseness. Finally, neglecting proofreading can leave typographical and grammatical errors, which diminish the quality of your work, so always review your essay thoroughly.

How do I manage time when writing an essay under exam conditions?

Time management in exams is crucial. Allocate about 10% of your time for planning, 80% for writing, and 10% for revising. Quickly outline your main points to structure your essay from the start. Write your body paragraphs first, as these contain the bulk of marks, then your introduction and conclusion. Keep an eye on the clock and pace yourself to ensure you have enough time to adequately develop your arguments and conclude effectively.

What are the best practices for editing and proofreading essays?

After writing your essay, take a break before you start editing to give you a fresh perspective. Read your essay aloud to catch awkward phrasing and sentences that don't flow logically. Check for consistency in tense and point of view throughout the essay. Use spell-check tools, but do not rely on them solely—manually check for homophones and commonly confused words. Consider having someone else read your work to catch errors you might have overlooked and to provide feedback on the clarity of your arguments.

How can I develop a strong thesis statement?

A strong thesis statement is clear, concise, and specific. It should express one main idea that is debatable, meaning there is potential for argument. Reflect on the essay prompt and decide on your position regarding the topic. Your thesis should guide the reader through your arguments and indicate the rationale behind your viewpoint. It serves as the backbone of your essay, so ensure it is robust and directly linked to the question asked.

How do I handle counterarguments in my essays?

Handling counterarguments effectively involves acknowledging them and then refuting them with stronger evidence or reasoning. Present them fairly and objectively, then use logical, fact-based arguments to demonstrate why your position remains valid. This not only shows critical thinking but also strengthens your original argument by showing you have considered multiple perspectives.

What is the role of a conclusion in an essay?

The conclusion of an essay should effectively summarise the main arguments discussed while reaffirming the thesis statement. It should synthesise the information presented rather than introducing new ideas. Provide a final perspective on the topic or suggest implications, further research or practical applications to leave the reader with something to ponder. A strong conclusion can reinforce your argument and leave a lasting impression on the reader.

How can I ensure my essay flows logically?

To ensure logical flow, each paragraph should seamlessly connect to the next with clear transitions. Focus on structuring paragraphs around one main idea that supports your thesis. Use transitional words and phrases to show the relationship between paragraphs. Consistency in your argumentation style and maintaining a clear focus throughout the essay will help keep your writing coherent.

What techniques help maintain reader interest throughout an essay?

To maintain reader interest, start with a strong hook in your introduction and use engaging content like relevant anecdotes, striking statistics, or interesting quotes throughout your essay. Vary your sentence structure and use active voice to keep the narrative dynamic. Also, ensure your topic is relevant and your arguments are presented with passion and clarity.

How can I integrate quotes effectively in essays?

To integrate quotes effectively, introduce the quote with a sentence that sets up its relevance to your argument, then follow the quote with analysis or interpretation that ties it back to your main point. Do not rely heavily on quotes to make your points; use them to support your arguments. Ensure that every quote is properly cited according to the required academic style guide.

What are the differences between descriptive and argumentative essays?

Descriptive essays focus on detailing a particular subject to give the reader a clear image or understanding of the topic through vivid language and sensory details. In contrast, argumentative essays aim to persuade the reader of a particular viewpoint or position using evidence and reasoning. The former is more about painting a picture, while the latter is about convincing through argument.

How can I use feedback to improve my essay writing skills?

Feedback is invaluable for improving essay writing skills. Actively seek out feedback from teachers, peers, or tutors and focus particularly on recurring themes in their comments. Reflect on this feedback critically and apply it to your future essays. Regularly revisiting and revising your work based on constructive criticism allows you to develop a more refined and effective writing style over time.

Need help from an expert?

4.93 /5 based on 486 reviews

The world’s top online tutoring provider trusted by students, parents, and schools globally.

Study and Practice for Free

Trusted by 100,000+ Students Worldwide

Achieve Top Grades in your Exams with our Free Resources.

Practice Questions, Study Notes, and Past Exam Papers for all Subjects!

Need Extra Help?

Stuck on your analytical essay? Connect with our English tutors for expert assistance in crafting a compelling analysis!

Professional tutor and Cambridge University researcher

Written by: Thomas Babb

Thomas is a PhD candidate at Oxford University. He served as an interviewer and the lead admissions test marker at Oxford, and teaches undergraduate students at Mansfield College and St Hilda’s College. He has ten years’ experience tutoring A-Level and GCSE students across a range of subjects.

Related Posts

How to Write a Narrative Essay

How to Write an Argumentative Essay

How to Write a Persuasive Essay

Hire a tutor

Please fill out the form and we'll find a tutor for you

• Select your country
• Afghanistan
• Åland Islands
• American Samoa
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Bouvet Island
• British Indian Ocean Territory
• Brunei Darussalam
• Burkina Faso
• Cayman Islands
• Central African Republic
• Christmas Island
• Cocos (Keeling) Islands
• Congo, The Democratic Republic of the
• Cook Islands
• Cote D'Ivoire
• Czech Republic
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Equatorial Guinea
• Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
• Faroe Islands
• French Guiana
• French Polynesia
• French Southern Territories
• Guinea-Bissau
• Heard Island and Mcdonald Islands
• Holy See (Vatican City State)
• Iran, Islamic Republic Of
• Isle of Man
• Korea, Democratic People'S Republic of
• Korea, Republic of
• Lao People'S Democratic Republic
• Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
• Liechtenstein
• Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of
• Marshall Islands
• Micronesia, Federated States of
• Moldova, Republic of
• Netherlands
• Netherlands Antilles
• New Caledonia
• New Zealand
• Norfolk Island
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Palestinian Territory, Occupied
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Puerto Rico
• Russian Federation
• Saint Helena
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Pierre and Miquelon
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Saudi Arabia
• Serbia and Montenegro
• Sierra Leone
• Solomon Islands
• South Africa
• South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
• Svalbard and Jan Mayen
• Switzerland
• Syrian Arab Republic
• Taiwan, Province of China
• Tanzania, United Republic of
• Timor-Leste
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turkmenistan
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States
• United States Minor Outlying Islands
• Virgin Islands, British
• Virgin Islands, U.S.
• Wallis and Futuna
• Western Sahara

Alternatively contact us via WhatsApp, Phone Call, or Email

Tower Language

Foreign Language Lessons, In-Company Classes, Translation

60 Useful Words and Phrases for Outstanding Essay Writing

General explaining.

Let’s start by looking at language for general explanations of complex points.

1. In order to

Usage : “In order to” can be used to introduce an explanation for the purpose of an argument.

Example : “In order to understand X, we need first to understand Y.”

2. In other words

Usage : Use “in other words” when you want to express something in a different way (more simply), to make it easier to understand, or to emphasise or expand on a point.

Example : “Frogs are amphibians. In other words, they live on the land and in the water.”

3. To put it another way

Usage : This phrase is another way of saying “in other words”, and can be used in particularly complex points, when you feel that an alternative way of wording a problem may help the reader achieve a better understanding of its significance.

Example : “Plants rely on photosynthesis. To put it another way, they will die without the sun.”

4. That is to say

Usage : “That is” and “that is to say” can be used to add further detail to your explanation, or to be more precise.

Example : “Whales are mammals. That is to say, they must breathe air.”

5. To that end

Usage : Use “to that end” or “to this end” in a similar way to “in order to” or “so”.

Example : “Zoologists have long sought to understand how animals communicate with each other. To that end, a new study has been launched that looks at elephant sounds and their possible meanings.”

Adding additional information to support a point

Students often make the mistake of using synonyms of “and” each time they want to add further information in support of a point they’re making, or to build an argument. Here are some cleverer ways of doing this.

6. Moreover

Usage : Employ “moreover” at the start of a sentence to add extra information in support of a point you’re making.

Example : “Moreover, the results of a recent piece of research provide compelling evidence in support of…”

7. Furthermore

Usage :This is also generally used at the start of a sentence, to add extra information.

Example : “Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that…”

8. What’s more

Usage : This is used in the same way as “moreover” and “furthermore”.

Example : “What’s more, this isn’t the only evidence that supports this hypothesis.”

9. Likewise

Usage : Use “likewise” when you want to talk about something that agrees with what you’ve just mentioned.

Example : “Scholar A believes X. Likewise, Scholar B argues compellingly in favour of this point of view.”

10. Similarly

Usage : Use “similarly” in the same way as “likewise”.

Example : “Audiences at the time reacted with shock to Beethoven’s new work, because it was very different to what they were used to. Similarly, we have a tendency to react with surprise to the unfamiliar.”

11. Another key thing to remember

Usage : Use the phrase “another key point to remember” or “another key fact to remember” to introduce additional facts without using the word “also”.

Example : “As a Romantic, Blake was a proponent of a closer relationship between humans and nature. Another key point to remember is that Blake was writing during the Industrial Revolution, which had a major impact on the world around him.”

12. As well as

Usage : Use “as well as” instead of “also” or “and”.

Example : “Scholar A argued that this was due to X, as well as Y.”

13. Not only… but also

Usage : This wording is used to add an extra piece of information, often something that’s in some way more surprising or unexpected than the first piece of information.

Example : “Not only did Edmund Hillary have the honour of being the first to reach the summit of Everest, but he was also appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.”

14. Coupled with

Usage : Used when considering two or more arguments at a time.

Example : “Coupled with the literary evidence, the statistics paint a compelling view of…”

15. Firstly, secondly, thirdly…

Usage : This can be used to structure an argument, presenting facts clearly one after the other.

Example : “There are many points in support of this view. Firstly, X. Secondly, Y. And thirdly, Z.

16. Not to mention/to say nothing of

Usage : “Not to mention” and “to say nothing of” can be used to add extra information with a bit of emphasis.

Example : “The war caused unprecedented suffering to millions of people, not to mention its impact on the country’s economy.”

Words and phrases for demonstrating contrast

When you’re developing an argument, you will often need to present contrasting or opposing opinions or evidence – “it could show this, but it could also show this”, or “X says this, but Y disagrees”. This section covers words you can use instead of the “but” in these examples, to make your writing sound more intelligent and interesting.

17. However

Usage : Use “however” to introduce a point that disagrees with what you’ve just said.

Example : “Scholar A thinks this. However, Scholar B reached a different conclusion.”

18. On the other hand

Usage : Usage of this phrase includes introducing a contrasting interpretation of the same piece of evidence, a different piece of evidence that suggests something else, or an opposing opinion.

Example: “The historical evidence appears to suggest a clear-cut situation. On the other hand, the archaeological evidence presents a somewhat less straightforward picture of what happened that day.”

19. Having said that

Usage : Used in a similar manner to “on the other hand” or “but”.

Example : “The historians are unanimous in telling us X, an agreement that suggests that this version of events must be an accurate account. Having said that, the archaeology tells a different story.”

20. By contrast/in comparison

Usage : Use “by contrast” or “in comparison” when you’re comparing and contrasting pieces of evidence.

Example : “Scholar A’s opinion, then, is based on insufficient evidence. By contrast, Scholar B’s opinion seems more plausible.”

21. Then again

Usage : Use this to cast doubt on an assertion.

Example : “Writer A asserts that this was the reason for what happened. Then again, it’s possible that he was being paid to say this.”

22. That said

Usage : This is used in the same way as “then again”.

Example : “The evidence ostensibly appears to point to this conclusion. That said, much of the evidence is unreliable at best.”

Usage : Use this when you want to introduce a contrasting idea.

Example : “Much of scholarship has focused on this evidence. Yet not everyone agrees that this is the most important aspect of the situation.”

Adding a proviso or acknowledging reservations

Sometimes, you may need to acknowledge a shortfalling in a piece of evidence, or add a proviso. Here are some ways of doing so.

24. Despite this

Usage : Use “despite this” or “in spite of this” when you want to outline a point that stands regardless of a shortfalling in the evidence.

Example : “The sample size was small, but the results were important despite this.”

25. With this in mind

Usage : Use this when you want your reader to consider a point in the knowledge of something else.

Example : “We’ve seen that the methods used in the 19th century study did not always live up to the rigorous standards expected in scientific research today, which makes it difficult to draw definite conclusions. With this in mind, let’s look at a more recent study to see how the results compare.”

26. Provided that

Usage : This means “on condition that”. You can also say “providing that” or just “providing” to mean the same thing.

Example : “We may use this as evidence to support our argument, provided that we bear in mind the limitations of the methods used to obtain it.”

27. In view of/in light of

Usage : These phrases are used when something has shed light on something else.

Example : “In light of the evidence from the 2013 study, we have a better understanding of…”

28. Nonetheless

Usage : This is similar to “despite this”.

Example : “The study had its limitations, but it was nonetheless groundbreaking for its day.”

29. Nevertheless

Usage : This is the same as “nonetheless”.

Example : “The study was flawed, but it was important nevertheless.”

30. Notwithstanding

Usage : This is another way of saying “nonetheless”.

Example : “Notwithstanding the limitations of the methodology used, it was an important study in the development of how we view the workings of the human mind.”

Giving examples

Good essays always back up points with examples, but it’s going to get boring if you use the expression “for example” every time. Here are a couple of other ways of saying the same thing.

31. For instance

Example : “Some birds migrate to avoid harsher winter climates. Swallows, for instance, leave the UK in early winter and fly south…”

32. To give an illustration

Example : “To give an illustration of what I mean, let’s look at the case of…”

Signifying importance

When you want to demonstrate that a point is particularly important, there are several ways of highlighting it as such.

33. Significantly

Usage : Used to introduce a point that is loaded with meaning that might not be immediately apparent.

Example : “Significantly, Tacitus omits to tell us the kind of gossip prevalent in Suetonius’ accounts of the same period.”

34. Notably

Usage : This can be used to mean “significantly” (as above), and it can also be used interchangeably with “in particular” (the example below demonstrates the first of these ways of using it).

Example : “Actual figures are notably absent from Scholar A’s analysis.”

35. Importantly

Usage : Use “importantly” interchangeably with “significantly”.

Example : “Importantly, Scholar A was being employed by X when he wrote this work, and was presumably therefore under pressure to portray the situation more favourably than he perhaps might otherwise have done.”

Summarising

You’ve almost made it to the end of the essay, but your work isn’t over yet. You need to end by wrapping up everything you’ve talked about, showing that you’ve considered the arguments on both sides and reached the most likely conclusion. Here are some words and phrases to help you.

36. In conclusion

Usage : Typically used to introduce the concluding paragraph or sentence of an essay, summarising what you’ve discussed in a broad overview.

Example : “In conclusion, the evidence points almost exclusively to Argument A.”

37. Above all

Usage : Used to signify what you believe to be the most significant point, and the main takeaway from the essay.

Example : “Above all, it seems pertinent to remember that…”

38. Persuasive

Usage : This is a useful word to use when summarising which argument you find most convincing.

Example : “Scholar A’s point – that Constanze Mozart was motivated by financial gain – seems to me to be the most persuasive argument for her actions following Mozart’s death.”

39. Compelling

Usage : Use in the same way as “persuasive” above.

Example : “The most compelling argument is presented by Scholar A.”

40. All things considered

Usage : This means “taking everything into account”.

Example : “All things considered, it seems reasonable to assume that…”

How many of these words and phrases will you get into your next essay? And are any of your favourite essay terms missing from our list? Let us know in the comments below!

Additional Information ( more examples)

+20 examples of important transition words, additional information.

There are many linking words which can lead us into additional information and while it is useful to vary your vocabulary beyond ‘ and ,’ these words are not mere replacements for ‘ and .’ They have nuanced differences, thus, by these particular meanings, we can offer a more delicate illustration of the relationships between our ideas.

• ‘Furthermore’ is used to add information that expands upon the previous point. It precedes information that expands upon that already given. It usually occurs at the beginning of an independent clause.
• ‘Moreover’ and ‘More so’ are both similar to ‘furthermore’ while giving special emphasis to the greater importance of the following clause.
• “Despite cutting back on other staff, her father gave her a position, furthermore , he gave her an enviable office while still not having a role for her.”
• Writers also sequence additional information. ‘Firstly,’ ‘secondly’ and ‘thirdly’ are obvious options used to achieve this, however, there are others. For example, we can look into the past with ‘previously,’ ‘until the present’ or ‘preceded by.’
• “Present growth in the company was *preceded by several quarters of stagnation”*
• ‘Meanwhile’ and ‘simultaneously’ talk about things which are happening at the same time as another, while ‘concurrently’ does this while emphasising that the two ideas have played out in conjunction with one another.
• Usually, ‘incidentally’ is used to add relevant information while downplaying its significance compared with that of other ideas.
• “The priority of the zoo had been to protect species’ from extinction. The panda breeding program was enjoying some rare success, while simultaneously , other programs to increase the numbers of endangered species were being trialled. Meanwhile , the zoo was being visited by an influx of tourists who were, incidentally , able to enjoy seeing the young animals.”
• ‘Subsequently’ and ‘afterward’ lead into information after the fact.

Compare and Contrast

When writers need to illustrate similarity they can employ words such as ‘in like manner,’ ‘comparatively,’ and ‘correspondingly.’ Whereas , when they wish to highlight difference they have phrases like ‘on the contrary,’ ‘however,’ ‘notwithstanding,’ ‘nevertheless’ and ‘on the other hand.’

Notwithstanding the vehement opposition to online education programs being made available to inmates, considerable improvements were made to the re-employment prospects of many offenders who benefited from the trial. On the contrary, prisoners who were not able to access education while incarcerated were found to be more likely to reoffend and return to prison.

Clarification

When it comes time to clarify an argument or point, some of the transitional phrases which are used are, ‘to reiterate,’ ‘specifically,’ or ‘inasmuch as.’

Consequence and Conclusion

When we have lead our reader through our flow of logic, there might be nothing more rewarding than driving our point home by showing consequence or concluding our arguments. There are a lot of strong phrases such as ‘accordingly,’ ‘hence,’ ‘thus’ and ‘thereupon’ which can do this.

I hope you will feel encouraged, by this article, to continue to further your understanding of how transitional words can work to guide your reader through your flow of logic. When used well, they add power and order to your argument and can add to the result you see from your work.

• +44 (0) 207 391 9032

Recent Posts

• What Is an Internship? Everything You Should Know

How Long Should a Thesis Statement Be?

• How to Write a Character Analysis Essay
• Best Colours for Your PowerPoint Presentation: How to Choose
• How to Write a Nursing Essay
• Top 5 Essential Skills You Should Build As An International Student
• How Professional Editing Services Can Take Your Writing to the Next Level
• How to Write an Effective Essay Outline
• How to Write a Law Essay: A Comprehensive Guide with Examples
• What Are the Limitations of ChatGPT?
• Academic News
• Custom Essays
• Dissertation Writing
• Essay Marking
• Essay Writing
• Essay Writing Companies
• Model Essays
• Model Exam Answers
• Oxbridge Essays Updates
• PhD Writing
• Significant Academics
• Student News
• Study Skills
• University Applications
• University Essays
• University Life
• Writing Tips

17 academic words and phrases to use in your essay

(Last updated: 20 October 2022)

Since 2006, Oxbridge Essays has been the UK’s leading paid essay-writing and dissertation service

We have helped 10,000s of undergraduate, Masters and PhD students to maximise their grades in essays, dissertations, model-exam answers, applications and other materials. If you would like a free chat about your project with one of our UK staff, then please just reach out on one of the methods below.

For the vast majority of students, essay writing doesn't always come easily. Writing at academic level is an acquired skill that can literally take years to master – indeed, many students find they only start to feel really confident writing essays just as their undergraduate course comes to an end!

If this is you, and you've come here looking for words and phrases to use in your essay, you're in the right place. We’ve pulled together a list of essential academic words you can use in the introduction, body, and conclusion of your essays .

Whilst your ideas and arguments should always be your own, borrowing some of the words and phrases listed below is a great way to articulate your ideas more effectively, and ensure that you keep your reader’s attention from start to finish.

It goes without saying (but we'll say it anyway) that there's a certain formality that comes with academic writing. Casual and conversational phrases have no place. Obviously, there are no LOLs, LMFAOs, and OMGs. But formal academic writing can be much more subtle than this, and as we've mentioned above, requires great skill.

So, to get you started on polishing your own essay writing ability, try using the words in this list as an inspirational starting point.

Words to use in your introduction

The trickiest part of academic writing often comes right at the start, with your introduction. Of course, once you’ve done your plan and have your arguments laid out, you need to actually put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and begin your essay.

You need to consider that your reader doesn’t have a clue about your topic or arguments, so your first sentence must summarise these. Explain what your essay is going to talk about as though you were explaining it to a five year old – without losing the formality of your academic writing, of course! To do this, use any of the below words or phrases to help keep you on track.

1. Firstly, secondly, thirdly

Even though it sounds obvious, your argument will be clearer if you deliver the ideas in the right order. These words can help you to offer clarity and structure to the way you expose your ideas. This is an extremely effective method of presenting the facts clearly. Don’t be too rigid and feel you have to number each point, but using this system can be a good way to get an argument off the ground, and link arguments together.

2. In view of; in light of; considering

These essay phrases are useful to begin your essay. They help you pose your argument based on what other authors have said or a general concern about your research. They can also both be used when a piece of evidence sheds new light on an argument. Here’s an example: The result of the American invasion has severely impaired American interests in the Middle East, exponentially increasing popular hostility to the United States throughout the region, a factor which has proved to be a powerful recruitment tool for extremist terrorist groups (Isakhan, 2015). Considering [or In light of / In view of] the perceived resulting threat to American interests, it could be argued that the Bush administration failed to fully consider the impact of their actions before pushing forward with the war.

3. According to X; X stated that; referring to the views of X

Introducing the views of an author who has a comprehensive knowledge of your particular area of study is a crucial part of essay writing. Including a quote that fits naturally into your work can be a bit of a struggle, but these academic phrases provide a great way in.

Even though it’s fine to reference a quote in your introduction, we don’t recommend you start your essay with a direct quote. Use your own words to sum up the views you’re mentioning, for example:

As Einstein often reiterated, experiments can prove theories, but experiments don’t give birth to theories.

Rather than:

“A theory can be proved by experiment, but no path leads from experiment to the birth of a theory.” {Albert Einstein, 1954, Einstein: A Biography}.

See the difference?

And be sure to reference correctly too, when using quotes or paraphrasing someone else's words.

Adding information and flow

The flow of your essay is extremely important. You don’t want your reader to be confused by the rhythm of your writing and get distracted away from your argument, do you? No! So, we recommend using some of the following ‘flow’ words, which are guaranteed to help you articulate your ideas and arguments in a chronological and structured order.

4. Moreover; furthermore; in addition; what’s more

These types of academic phrases are perfect for expanding or adding to a point you’ve already made without interrupting the flow altogether. “Moreover”, “furthermore” and “in addition” are also great linking phrases to begin a new paragraph.

Here are some examples: The dissociation of tau protein from microtubules destabilises the latter resulting in changes to cell structure, and neuronal transport. Moreover, mitochondrial dysfunction leads to further oxidative stress causing increased levels of nitrous oxide, hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidases.

On the data of this trial, no treatment recommendations should be made. The patients are suspected, but not confirmed, to suffer from pneumonia. Furthermore, five days is too short a follow up time to confirm clinical cure.

5. In order to; to that end; to this end

These are helpful academic phrases to introduce an explanation or state your aim. Oftentimes your essay will have to prove how you intend to achieve your goals. By using these sentences you can easily expand on points that will add clarity to the reader.

For example: My research entailed hours of listening and recording the sound of whales in order to understand how they communicate.

Dutch tech companies offer support in the fight against the virus. To this end, an online meeting took place on Wednesday...

Even though we recommend the use of these phrases, DO NOT use them too often. You may think you sound like a real academic but it can be a sign of overwriting!

6. In other words; to put it another way; that is; to put it more simply

Complement complex ideas with simple descriptions by using these sentences. These are excellent academic phrases to improve the continuity of your essay writing. They should be used to explain a point you’ve already made in a slightly different way. Don’t use them to repeat yourself, but rather to elaborate on a certain point that needs further explanation. Or, to succinctly round up what just came before.

For example: A null hypothesis is a statement that there is no relationship between phenomena. In other words, there is no treatment effect.

Nothing could come to be in this pre-world time, “because no part of such a time possesses, as compared with any other, a distinguishing condition of existence rather than non-existence.” That is, nothing exists in this pre-world time, and so there can be nothing that causes the world to come into existence.

7. Similarly; likewise; another key fact to remember; as well as; an equally significant aspect of

These essay words are a good choice to add a piece of information that agrees with an argument or fact you just mentioned. In academic writing, it is very relevant to include points of view that concur with your opinion. This will help you to situate your research within a research context.

Also , academic words and phrases like the above are also especially useful so as not to repeat the word ‘also’ too many times. (We did that on purpose to prove our point!) Your reader will be put off by the repetitive use of simple conjunctions. The quality of your essay will drastically improve just by using academic phrases and words such as ‘similarly’, ‘as well as’, etc. Here, let us show you what we mean:

In 1996, then-transport minister Steve Norris enthused about quadrupling cycling trips by 2012. Similarly, former prime minister David Cameron promised a “cycling revolution” in 2013…

Or Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI) aims to bridge the gap of access to electricity across the continent (...). Another key fact to remember is that it must expand cost-efficient access to electricity to nearly 1 billion people.

The wording “not only… but also” is a useful way to elaborate on a similarity in your arguments but in a more striking way.

Comparing and contrasting information

Academic essays often include opposite opinions or information in order to prove a point. It is important to show all the aspects that are relevant to your research. Include facts and researchers’ views that disagree with a point of your essay to show your knowledge of your particular field of study. Below are a few words and ways of introducing alternative arguments.

8. Conversely; however; alternatively; on the contrary; on the other hand; whereas

Finding a seamless method to present an alternative perspective or theory can be hard work, but these terms and phrases can help you introduce the other side of the argument. Let's look at some examples:

89% of respondents living in joint families reported feeling financially secure. Conversely, only 64% of those who lived in nuclear families said they felt financially secure.

The first protagonist has a social role to fill in being a father to those around him, whereas the second protagonist relies on the security and knowledge offered to him by Chaplin.

“On the other hand” can also be used to make comparisons when worded together with “on the one hand.”

9. By contrast; in comparison; then again; that said; yet

These essay phrases show contrast, compare facts, and present uncertainty regarding a point in your research. “That said” and “yet” in particular will demonstrate your expertise on a topic by showing the conditions or limitations of your research area. For example:

All the tests were positive. That said, we must also consider the fact that some of them had inconclusive results.

10. Despite this; provided that; nonetheless

Use these phrases and essay words to demonstrate a positive aspect of your subject-matter regardless of lack of evidence, logic, coherence, or criticism. Again, this kind of information adds clarity and expertise to your academic writing.

A good example is:

Despite the criticism received by X, the popularity of X remains undiminished.

11. Importantly; significantly; notably; another key point

Another way to add contrast is by highlighting the relevance of a fact or opinion in the context of your research. These academic words help to introduce a sentence or paragraph that contains a very meaningful point in your essay.

Giving examples

A good piece of academic writing will always include examples. Illustrating your essay with examples will make your arguments stronger. Most of the time, examples are a way to clarify an explanation; they usually offer an image that the reader can recognise. The most common way to introduce an illustration is “for example.” However, in order not to repeat yourself here are a few other options.

12. For instance; to give an illustration of; to exemplify; to demonstrate; as evidence; to elucidate

The academic essays that are receiving top marks are the ones that back up every single point made. These academic phrases are a useful way to introduce an example. If you have a lot of examples, avoid repeating the same phrase to facilitate the readability of your essay.

Here’s an example:

‘High involvement shopping’, an experiential process described by Wu et al. (2015, p. 299) relies upon the development of an identity-based alliance between the customer and the brand. Celebrity status at Prada, for example, has created an alliance between the brand and a new generation of millennial customers.

Concluding your essay

Concluding words for essays are necessary to wrap up your argument. Your conclusion must include a brief summary of the ideas that you just exposed without being redundant. The way these ideas are expressed should lead to the final statement and core point you have arrived at in your present research.

13. In conclusion; to conclude; to summarise; in sum; in the final analysis; on close analysis

These are phrases for essays that will introduce your concluding paragraph. You can use them at the beginning of a sentence. They will show the reader that your essay is coming to an end:

On close analysis and appraisal, we see that the study by Cortis lacks essential features of the highest quality quantitative research.

14. Persuasive; compelling

Essay words like these ones can help you emphasize the most relevant arguments of your paper. Both are used in the same way: “the most persuasive/compelling argument is…”.

15. Therefore; this suggests that; it can be seen that; the consequence is

When you’re explaining the significance of the results of a piece of research, these phrases provide the perfect lead up to your explanation.

16. Above all; chiefly; especially; most significantly; it should be noted

Your summary should include the most relevant information or research factor that guided you to your conclusion. Contrary to words such as “persuasive” or “compelling”, these essay words are helpful to draw attention to an important point. For example:

The feasibility and effectiveness of my research has been proven chiefly in the last round of laboratory tests.

Film noir is, and will continue to be, highly debatable, controversial, and unmarketable – but above all, for audience members past, present and to come, extremely enjoyable as a form of screen media entertainment.

17. All things considered

This essay phrase is meant to articulate how you give reasons to your conclusions. It means that after you considered all the aspects related to your study, you have arrived to the conclusion you are demonstrating.

After mastering the use of these academic words and phrases, we guarantee you will see an immediate change in the quality of your essays. The structure will be easier to follow, and the reader’s experience will improve. You’ll also feel more confident articulating your ideas and using facts and examples. So jot them all down, and watch your essays go from ‘good’ to ‘great’!

Essay exams: how to answer ‘To what extent…’

How to write a master’s essay

• academic writing
• writing a good essay
• writing essays
• writing tips

Writing Services

• Essay Plans
• Critical Reviews
• Literature Reviews
• Presentations
• Dissertation Title Creation
• Dissertation Proposals
• Dissertation Chapters
• PhD Proposals
• Journal Publication
• CV Writing Service
• Business Proofreading Services

Editing Services

• Proofreading Service
• Editing Service
• Academic Editing Service

Additional Services

• Marking Services
• Consultation Calls
• Personal Statements
• Tutoring Services

Our Company

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Become a Writer

Terms & Policies

• Fair Use Policy
• Policy for Students in England
• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions
• [email protected]
• Contact Form

Payment Methods

Cryptocurrency payments.

• PTE Study Plan & Strategy
• PTE Describe Image Task
• Mastering the PTE Write Essay Task
• Re-order Paragraphs and Reading Strategies
• PTE Listening – Tips and Practice for Success
• OET Study Plan & Strategy
• OET Writing Overview & Tips
• Tips and Practice for Success
• OET Listening Preparation & Practice Tips
• OET Reading
• Academic Writing Sample for Task 1
• Tips & Topics for IELTS Speaking
• TOEFL test changes 2023
• Time to Prepare for TOEFL
• Take a Free TOEFL Mock Test
• TOEFL Reading Time Management
• How to Succeed at TOEFL Reading
• TOEFL Listening
• TOEFL Speaking
• TOEFL Writing Academic Discussion
• TOEFL Integrated Writing
• Top 10 English Essay Writing Tips
• Synonyms and Other Writing Techniques
• START FREE TRIAL

Top 10 English Essay Writing Tips | Complete Guide For a High Score

Are you looking to improve your essay writing skills and achieve a high score on your next English essay? In this post, we will explore the best essay writing tips and cover different essay types, the essay structure, an essay outline and much more to help you succeed on an upcoming English essay. These 10 tips are perfect for school, college or university essays, as well as English exams like IELTS, PTE and TOEFL. We have included some helpful resources including a companion pdf that has a sample English essay and a few essay prompts. Every great English essay is improved with feedback so visit E2testprep.com and sign up for free to access expert feedback from our experienced teachers. 

1: Understand How to Answer the Essay Prompt

2: follow the correct essay structure, 3: plan your english essay, 4: explain your reasons, 5: use synonyms in you english essay, 6: paraphrase, don’t copy, 7: vary your sentence structure , 8: use linking words, 9: proofread out loud, 10: seek feedback, more help with english essay writing.

• Start Now. It’s Free ✌️

  Watch our video below to see an in-depth explanation of the Top 10 English Essay Writing Tips.

In order to successfully write an essay, it is important that we fulfil the essay requirement by understanding the essay prompt and what it’s asking of us. We need to begin by identifying what type of essay the question is calling us to write. Here are three different essay types that are commonly used:

• Opinion essays
• Problem/solution essays 
• Advantages/disadvantages essays

Here are possible questions to look out for to help you identify these three different essay types, and the requirements to fulfil for each.

In our sample English essay provided here , the essay prompt asks: In the past, almost all office workers did their job in their company’s offices five days a week. Nowadays, however, many employers allow more flexible work arrangements, and employees often choose to work from home a few days per week. What are the advantages and disadvantages of employees working from home?

This is a discussion essay where we can outline the disadvantages and advantages of the topic.

The essay structure shown below is simple, but extremely effective at presenting your ideas in a clear and organised way. It is important to use this format so it makes it easy for your teacher or assessor, whoever is marking your essay, to follow your ideas. You need to follow this structure:

In your introduction, you simply tell the reader what the essay is about. In your body paragraphs, you should present your arguments, and then support your arguments. This is where you show evidence through the use of examples and also explain your reasons in detail. In your conclusion, you summarise what was said in the essay.

A simple and clear plan is very important to making sure your ideas are well-organised and easy to follow for when you write the actual essay. Below you will see a plan for the main body of a sample English essay . There are two advantages and two disadvantages outlined, each with a supporting reason.

Taking a few moments to plan can be the difference between a good essay and an excellent, well-organised one. Teachers can easily pick up on unplanned essays. Students who decide to jump straight into writing without creating an essay outline first will often go off-topic during their essays. Sometimes the ideas are randomly inserted in certain places, resulting in a disorganised and low-scoring essay. The writing may leave assessors confused and looking for your arguments and reasons. 

Don’t make this mistake, and get into the habit of planning, even if it’s just a few quick bullet points.

Explaining your reasons gives your writing more support. It is important that you provide proof through the use of evidence and examples to support your ideas or arguments. Without any explanations, not only will your ideas lack strength, but your paragraphs will also be too short. 

Referring back to our sample English essay , we can see a well-explained example below. 

In the image above, the phrase ‘For instance’ introduces an example. In this case, it is an example of how an employee can struggle to separate their office and home life, including knowing when to stop working and take a break. Then, we can see the writer provides an explanation by including the phrase, ‘This could lead to’ and then describing the effects and consequences of the previously mentioned example. 

Explaining reasons with evidence and examples can be the hardest part of writing for some as it forces us to extend our ideas. Start with an example, and then reflect on the possible upsides or downsides of it. Ask yourself ‘What are the effects or results of this example or evidence I’m giving?’ which should then help to form your explanation.

When you are writing any type of essay, there will always be a set of keywords or phrases that get repeated throughout your writing because they are linked with your topic. Using synonyms, or different words that say the same thing, allows us to avoid sounding repetitive, which can often make our essay seem boring. Using synonyms is a quick and easy way to improve your writing. 

In our sample English essay , the idea of ‘working from home’ was used a lot. Here are some synonyms we included throughout our essay for this idea: ‘work flexibly’, ‘remote work’, ‘flexible work arrangements’ and even rephrasing the idea as ‘this change in work culture’. Using synonyms creates variety in our writing and improves the range of our vocabulary, which can easily help you to score higher on an essay. 

If you need to, you can use a thesaurus to find synonyms for words. Just make sure the synonyms still sound natural.

Depending on your essay topic, you may need to include research, or facts found through research on the internet. In any type of essay, it would not be acceptable to copy phrases or sentences, word for word. If you struggle with paraphrasing, we recommend that you start with synonyms first so you can build on the skill of replacing words and then slowly move into rephrasing and rewording entire phrases, sentences and then sections of text.  A great place to start is paraphrasing the essay prompt in your essay introduction. You need to be able to write it in your own words so you can show how well you can use language. In the image below, we can see how the essay prompt from our sample English essay has been paraphrased to create an interesting essay introduction.

Paraphrasing might seem like a difficult skill to master at first, but with practice, it will become much easier.

To demonstrate your essay writing skills, it is important to include a wide range of sentence structures, including simple, compound and complex sentences. Using these sentence types will not only show off your skills and knowledge, but also prevent the text from sounding boring. 

A simple sentence contains only one independent clause. An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and can be a sentence on its own.

You can see an example of a simple sentence from our sample English essay below. Notice how this example broke up a group of longer sentences and created a sense of impact.

Another upside to working from home is the career opportunities it offers. People can now work for companies in other places. This means they can live anywhere and still do their job well. It also means they can apply for better jobs that might not be close to home.

A compound sentence contains two independent clauses, joined by a conjunction such as ‘and’ or ‘but’. Below is a compound sentence from our sample English essay.

I think workers should be allowed to work from home, but only for up to two days a week.

A complex sentence contains an independent clause and a dependent clause, which cannot be a sentence on its own. This type of sentence demonstrates a higher level of complexity.

Without being away from home all day, employees can better manage their work and personal commitments.

To vary your sentence structure even further, you can swap the order around with some complex sentences by putting the dependent clause at the beginning or putting it at the end. The sentence still makes sense, even if it’s reordered, which can help if you keep repeating the same sentence structures.  

It is also important where you use different sentence types. Too many complex sentences in a row can be hard to follow. Too many simple sentences can make it feel like your ideas are not connected. On the other hand, shorter sentences can help to break up a group of longer sentences.

Using linking words is an easy and effective way to make your writing sound more like an essay. They help create structure and flow so that your reader can clearly follow your ideas. Linking words show the connections between ideas and paragraphs and also increase clarity in your essay, so that everything reads smoothly. Usually we use them at the beginning of sentences. 

Let’s look at three examples of linking words found in our sample English essay . 

Consequently, this means many people can work from home for a few days each week.

The linking word, ‘consequently’, shows a cause and effect relationship between statements.

On the other hand, remote work is not only socially isolating, but less teamwork could mean that the company won’t do as well.

‘On the other hand’ shows contrast when you’re introducing a different or opposing idea.

In conclusion, having the choice to work from home has changed the traditional work style.

‘In conclusion’ tells you that the ideas are about to be summarised and concluded. 

There are many different types of linking words. Some linking words are used to show cause and effect, others for examples, while some can be used to show the sequence of ideas.

Everyone knows that they should revise their writing at the end, but often this step can get overlooked when you are rushing to finish off an English essay. It is understandable. You have just planned and written an entire essay, while having to think about synonyms and transition words and sentence structure and everything in between. Going back over your work thoroughly can save you from losing marks. The best way to do this is to proofread your writing out loud.

When just quickly glancing over your writing with your eyes, it is easy to miss some of the careless mistakes that have been made, especially if you are rushing to complete an essay that has a time limit. However, if you take some time to proofread aloud, you can start to pick up on things that sound incorrect.  We recommend that you read every piece of writing out loud, so you can easily listen for mistakes. Try it next time you write an essay.

As you practise your essay writing skills, it is important to ask people around you for feedback on how to improve. Of course, having teachers look over your writing will be the most constructive for your skill development. However, it is always great to have your classmates, family members and even friends read your writing. Having a fresh set of eyes can help to catch errors but also provide valuable feedback on your writing. 

As always, if you are looking for expert feedback, especially for a high stakes English exam, be sure to sign up to E2testprep.com . Our experienced teachers and ex-examiners can help you to improve your writing!

Need more help with your English essay writing? We have you covered! For help with general English essay writing, head to E2testprep.com and sign up for free. You can access method lessons, practice items, live classes with expert teachers and more. We have everything you need to help you quickly achieve success on your next high stakes essay. 

Author Bio: E2 is the world’s leading test preparation provider. Our expert teachers are fully accredited English teachers, with TESOL, British Council or other relevant certification, and years of examiner or teaching experience.

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes:

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

8 Tips to Write Better Essays in English

Learning a foreign language is an overwhelming experience, especially if it’s one of the most widely spoken languages in the world – English.

Many people are under the impression that learning to read and speak in English is enough without realizing that written English skills are an equally vital asset to have.

From improving academics to boosting career prospects – the ability to write in English not only lets you communicate and express yourself better in today’s globalized world but also makes you more confident.

An effective way to improve your writing skills is to write essays. Wondering where to begin? We bring you eight useful tips to write better essays in English.

1. Keep a Vocabulary Notebook

Using the right vocabulary is an essential element of writing essays. When you make efforts to expand your vocabulary, you will be able to pick accurate words to take your writing to the next level.

Instead of coming across new words and forgetting about them, it’s a good idea to make a note of them in your vocabulary notebook. Doing this helps you remember the meanings of new words and you can also refer to it while writing essays.

So, give yourself a target to learn at least ten new words every day, which you can jot down in your diary and take baby steps in building a strong vocabulary.

2. Refer to Credible Sources

Research forms the first step in writing any kind of essay. The stronger your research, the better is the quality of your essay.

At a time when we have access to a wide range of data, it’s important to evaluate research sources carefully and only refer to credible ones. For example, Wikipedia is not a reliable source and should not be attributed to while writing essays.

Take the effort to read through published journals, research studies, scholarly papers, academic databases, and encyclopedias published within the last 10-15 years. It’s also important to assess the credibility of the author while evaluating the source.

3. Draft a Basic Outline

Once you’ve done your research, don’t rush to write. Take a moment to draft a basic outline for your essay and organize your research and findings.

“Is that necessary,” you ask? Very much.

Working on an outline lets you approach the essay in an organized manner. It serves as the skeleton of your paper while ensuring you’re not missing out on any information and that your points flow logically.

Most essays are categorized into – introduction, body, and conclusion.

The introduction is where you introduce the topic and give context. The body paragraphs need to include your arguments and research methodology (if any). The conclusion needs to reiterate the thesis statement and tie all the points together.

4. Hook the Reader

With attention spans getting shorter with time, it’s become all the more important to start with a bang and hook the reader from the beginning to ensure they are invested in your writing.

Essay hooks refer to the first one or two sentences of your essay which have the power to make or break the reader’s interest. The key is to write a hook that grabs the reader’s attention and reels them in.

From an alarming statistic and relevant quote to using humor and asking a rhetoric question – there are various tactics you can employ to keep the reader engaged.

If you’re unable to think of an impactful essay hook, don’t waste too much time on it. Finish the rest of your essay and come back to write a compelling hook later.

5. Use the Pomodoro Technique

It’s not easy to write an essay in one go, especially if it’s not in your first language.

A smart way to approach essay writing is to use the Pomodoro technique. This technique asks you to set a timer for 25 minutes to finish your task in question and then take a 5-minute break. After four cycles of repeating this, you get to take an extended 20-minute break.

So, start with breaking down the assignment into smaller tasks such as research, outlining, writing the different paragraphs, citing references and proofreading. You can then set the timer, start working on the essay as per the technique and track your progress.

Using this technique keeps distractions at bay and helps you stay more focused.

6. Pay Attention to Grammar Rules

You may raise interesting points in your essay, but poor grammar disrupts the reading experience and should be avoided at all costs.

Be careful when adding punctuations, check your sentence formations, avoid passive voice as much as possible and know the difference between adjectives, adverbs, nouns and verbs.

So  abide by grammar rules to deliver a well-written and cohesive essay.

7. Write with Clarity

You might be tempted to use complex metaphors and jargons to impress the reader, but the truth is, none of that guarantees “good” writing.

One of the most important ingredients of effective writing is clarity. You don’t want to leave the reader confused and puzzled after reading your essay. So, use simple words, stop beating around the bush and explain concepts with the help of examples because clear writing always wins.

8. Reread the Essay

Finally, make it a point to proofread your essay (multiple times) to ensure you have covered all the aspects, cited references accurately and not made any silly errors.

It’s a good idea to read your essay out loud so you’re able to identify errors and awkwardly formed sentences with ease. You should also get a friend or family member to read your essay, to spot mistakes or discrepancies that you may have overlooked.

You may also like:

• I Don’t Understand, Do You?
• Simple English Videos
• Listen&Learn: The Berlin Wall

35 comments

Thanks a lot all we can derive from reading is the technique to write with clarity, good research and involvement of readers in writing.

Thank a lot dear EnglishClub, it’s help me a lot

I think it is very good site for learn essay writing

As a teacher trainer this contribution is helpful

Thanks for the tips! I’ll have an essay tomorrow and this will surlely prepare me!

Thank you so much

Thanks Please I will like to know more

thank you so much for your amazing informations

encyclopedias

encyclopaedias

Nice one but I don’t understand yet

Knowledge supporter is who u are, keep d good work nd ur reward is from God nd thanks.

thanks alot for your tips…your tips will help me alot while examss!!!

Thank you so much for information ☺️

Thank you ☺️

Thank you 💯💯💯💯💯💯

My hobby is home garden

ur intentinon and thoughts was very nce its useful to somny pepole to learn english tysomuch adela belin

Thanks you for helping

This did help a lot! Thank you very much 🥰

Good tips, I should give it a try, after all, we all improve by exercising hard so I’ll just do the same thing, but right now I gotta focus on what matters, and what I need now is to read as much as I can to know how to spell the words right. Is grammar so important in this task, I mean can’t I just pick the things up because of my experience in listening skill ?

Thanks for the information!

This is a nice explanation ,,,,,proud of you!

Is very interesting for me I really apreicete you help

Thanks so much for these useful tips!! Now, I need to start preparing my essay (“starting” has been always the stone on my way :$)

Please, what is the difference between an essay and an article?

Are they same?

Thanks in advance,

Thanks & best regards English Club

Helpful updated tips to share with our students!! thankssss

I want to know if it is only at the University or if we may take the course online.

Thank you verry much for important advices

thank for your key points, this is really helpful

Thank you and best wishes,

Very pragmatic and helpful essay. Thank so much English club

Leave a comment

Email * (not published)

Improve your English. Speak with confidence!

• Free Mini Course

• Posted in in Writing

30 Advanced Essay Words to Improve Your Grades

• Posted by by Cameron Smith
• 11 months ago
• Updated 3 weeks ago

In this guide, you’ll find 30 advanced essay words to use in academic writing. Advanced English words are great for making academic writing more impressive and persuasive, which has the potential to wow teachers and professors, and even improve your grades.

30 Advanced Essay Words

• Definition: Present, appearing, or found everywhere.
• Example: The smartphone has become ubiquitous in modern society.
• Replaces: Common, widespread, prevalent.
• Definition: Fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing.
• Example: Her eloquent speech captivated the audience.
• Replaces: Well-spoken, articulate.
• Definition: To make less severe, serious, or painful.
• Example: Planting more trees can help mitigate the effects of climate change.
• Replaces: Alleviate, lessen, reduce.
• Definition: In contrast or opposite to what was previously mentioned.
• Example: Some believe in climate change; conversely, others deny its existence.
• Replaces: On the other hand, in opposition.
• Definition: Stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so.
• Example: His ostensible reason for the delay was a traffic jam.
• Replaces: Apparent, seeming, supposed.
• Definition: A countless or extremely great number.
• Example: The internet offers a myriad of resources for research.
• Replaces: Countless, numerous.
• Definition: Exceeding what is necessary or required.
• Example: His lengthy introduction was filled with superfluous details.
• Replaces: Excessive, redundant.
• Definition: To cause something to happen suddenly or unexpectedly.
• Example: The economic crisis precipitated widespread unemployment.
• Replaces: Trigger, prompt.
• Definition: Too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words.
• Example: The beauty of the sunset over the ocean was ineffable.
• Replaces: Indescribable, inexpressible.
• Definition: Having knowledge or awareness of something.
• Example: She was cognizant of the risks involved in the project.
• Replaces: Aware, conscious.
• Definition: Relevant or applicable to a particular matter.
• Example: Please provide only pertinent information in your report.
• Replaces: Relevant, related.
• Definition: Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
• Example: The researcher conducted a meticulous analysis of the data.
• Replaces: Thorough, careful.
• Definition: Capable of producing the desired result or effect.
• Example: The medication has proved to be efficacious in treating the disease.
• Replaces: Effective, successful.
• Definition: Mentioned earlier in the text or conversation.
• Example: The aforementioned study provides valuable insights.
• Replaces: Previously mentioned, previously discussed.
• Definition: To make a problem, situation, or condition worse.
• Example: His criticism only served to exacerbate the conflict.
• Replaces: Worsen, intensify.
• Definition: The state or capacity of being everywhere, especially at the same time.
• Example: The ubiquity of social media has changed how we communicate.
• Replaces: Omnipresence, pervasiveness.
• Definition: In every case or on every occasion; always.
• Example: The professor’s lectures are invariably informative.
• Replaces: Always, consistently.
• Definition: To be a perfect example or representation of something.
• Example: The city’s skyline epitomizes modern architecture.
• Replaces: Symbolize, represent.
• Definition: A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.
• Example: The cacophony of car horns during rush hour was deafening.
• Replaces: Discord, noise.
• Definition: A person who acts obsequiously toward someone important to gain advantage.
• Example: He surrounded himself with sycophants who praised his every move.
• Replaces: Flatterer, yes-man.
• Definition: To render unclear, obscure, or unintelligible.
• Example: The politician attempted to obfuscate the details of the scandal.
• Replaces: Confuse, obscure.
• Definition: Having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment.
• Example: Her sagacious advice guided the team to success.
• Replaces: Wise, insightful.
• Definition: Not or no longer needed or useful; superfluous.
• Example: His repeated explanations were redundant and added no value.
• Replaces: Unnecessary, surplus.
• Definition: Unwilling or refusing to change one’s views or to agree about something.
• Example: The intransigent negotiators couldn’t reach a compromise.
• Replaces: Unyielding, stubborn.
• Definition: Characterized by vulgar or pretentious display; designed to impress or attract notice.
• Example: The mansion’s ostentatious decorations were overwhelming.
• Replaces: Showy, extravagant.
• Definition: A tendency to choose or do something regularly; an inclination or predisposition.
• Example: She had a proclivity for taking risks in her business ventures.
• Replaces: Tendency, inclination.
• Definition: Difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious.
• Example: The artist’s enigmatic paintings left viewers puzzled.
• Replaces: Mysterious, cryptic.
• Definition: Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.
• Example: The pernicious influence of gossip can damage reputations.
• Replaces: Harmful, destructive.
• Definition: Shining with great brightness.
• Example: The bride looked resplendent in her wedding gown.
• Replaces: Radiant, splendid.
• Definition: Optimistic, especially in a difficult or challenging situation.
• Example: Despite the setbacks, he remained sanguine.
• Replaces: Optimistic, hopeful.

Using these advanced words in your essays can elevate your writing, making it more precise, engaging, and impactful.

As you work on your essays, consider the nuanced meanings and applications of these advanced words, and use them judiciously to enhance the quality of your academic writing.

Cameron Smith

Cameron Smith is an English Communication Coach based in Vancouver, Canada. He's the founder of Learn English Every Day, and he's on a mission to help millions of people speak English with confidence. If you want longer video content, please follow me on YouTube for fun English lessons and helpful learning resources!

Post navigation

• Posted in in ESL Conversation Questions

170 Small Talk Questions to Start a Conversation with Anyone

• September 12, 2023

• Posted in in Business English

60 Essential Business Idioms: Sound Fluent at Work!

• October 14, 2023

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Find a Teacher
• Currency ( RUB )
• Site Language
• 50 linking words to use in academic writing

Fiona Oates

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• Academic writing
• Transition Words & Phrases | List & Examples

Transition Words & Phrases | List & Examples

Published on May 29, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on August 23, 2023.

Transition words and phrases (also called linking words, connecting words, or transitional words) are used to link together different ideas in your text. They help the reader to follow your arguments by expressing the relationships between different sentences or parts of a sentence.

The proposed solution to the problem did not work. Therefore , we attempted a second solution. However , this solution was also unsuccessful.

For clear writing, it’s essential to understand the meaning of transition words and use them correctly.

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

Table of contents

When and how to use transition words, types and examples of transition words, common mistakes with transition words, other interesting articles.

Transition words commonly appear at the start of a new sentence or clause (followed by a comma ), serving to express how this clause relates to the previous one.

Transition words can also appear in the middle of a clause. It’s important to place them correctly to convey the meaning you intend.

Example text with and without transition words

The text below describes all the events it needs to, but it does not use any transition words to connect them. Because of this, it’s not clear exactly how these different events are related or what point the author is making by telling us about them.

If we add some transition words at appropriate moments, the text reads more smoothly and the relationship among the events described becomes clearer.

Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. Consequently , France and the United Kingdom declared war on Germany. The Soviet Union initially worked with Germany in order to partition Poland. However , Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941.

Don’t overuse transition words

While transition words are essential to clear writing, it’s possible to use too many of them. Consider the following example, in which the overuse of linking words slows down the text and makes it feel repetitive.

In this case the best way to fix the problem is to simplify the text so that fewer linking words are needed.

The key to using transition words effectively is striking the right balance. It is difficult to follow the logic of a text with no transition words, but a text where every sentence begins with a transition word can feel over-explained.

Here's why students love Scribbr's proofreading services

Discover proofreading & editing

There are four main types of transition word: additive, adversative, causal, and sequential. Within each category, words are divided into several more specific functions.

Remember that transition words with similar meanings are not necessarily interchangeable. It’s important to understand the meaning of all the transition words you use. If unsure, consult a dictionary to find the precise definition.

Additive transition words

Additive transition words introduce new information or examples. They can be used to expand upon, compare with, or clarify the preceding text.

Adversative transition words

Adversative transition words always signal a contrast of some kind. They can be used to introduce information that disagrees or contrasts with the preceding text.

Causal transition words

Causal transition words are used to describe cause and effect. They can be used to express purpose, consequence, and condition.

Sequential transition words

Sequential transition words indicate a sequence, whether it’s the order in which events occurred chronologically or the order you’re presenting them in your text. They can be used for signposting in academic texts.

Transition words are often used incorrectly. Make sure you understand the proper usage of transition words and phrases, and remember that words with similar meanings don’t necessarily work the same way grammatically.

Misused transition words can make your writing unclear or illogical. Your audience will be easily lost if you misrepresent the connections between your sentences and ideas.

Confused use of therefore

“Therefore” and similar cause-and-effect words are used to state that something is the result of, or follows logically from, the previous. Make sure not to use these words in a way that implies illogical connections.

• We asked participants to rate their satisfaction with their work from 1 to 10. Therefore , the average satisfaction among participants was 7.5.

The use of “therefore” in this example is illogical: it suggests that the result of 7.5 follows logically from the question being asked, when in fact many other results were possible. To fix this, we simply remove the word “therefore.”

• We asked participants to rate their satisfaction with their work from 1 to 10. The average satisfaction among participants was 7.5.

Starting a sentence with also , and , or so

While the words “also,” “and,” and “so” are used in academic writing, they are considered too informal when used at the start of a sentence.

• Also , a second round of testing was carried out.

To fix this issue, we can either move the transition word to a different point in the sentence or use a more formal alternative.

• A second round of testing was also carried out.
• Additionally , a second round of testing was carried out.

Transition words creating sentence fragments

Words like “although” and “because” are called subordinating conjunctions . This means that they introduce clauses which cannot stand on their own. A clause introduced by one of these words should always follow or be followed by another clause in the same sentence.

The second sentence in this example is a fragment, because it consists only of the “although” clause.

• Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed. Although other researchers disagree.

We can fix this in two different ways. One option is to combine the two sentences into one using a comma. The other option is to use a different transition word that does not create this problem, like “however.”

• Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed, although other researchers disagree.
• Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed. However , other researchers disagree.

And vs. as well as

Students often use the phrase “ as well as ” in place of “and,” but its usage is slightly different. Using “and” suggests that the things you’re listing are of equal importance, while “as well as” introduces additional information that is less important.

• Chapter 1 discusses some background information on Woolf, as well as presenting my analysis of To the Lighthouse .

In this example, the analysis is more important than the background information. To fix this mistake, we can use “and,” or we can change the order of the sentence so that the most important information comes first. Note that we add a comma before “as well as” but not before “and.”

• Chapter 1 discusses some background information on Woolf and presents my analysis of To the Lighthouse .
• Chapter 1 presents my analysis of To the Lighthouse , as well as discussing some background information on Woolf.

Note that in fixed phrases like “both x and y ,” you must use “and,” not “as well as.”

• Both my results as well as my interpretations are presented below.
• Both my results and my interpretations are presented below.

Use of and/or

The combination of transition words “and/or” should generally be avoided in academic writing. It makes your text look messy and is usually unnecessary to your meaning.

First consider whether you really do mean “and/or” and not just “and” or “or.” If you are certain that you need both, it’s best to separate them to make your meaning as clear as possible.

• Participants were asked whether they used the bus and/or the train.
• Participants were asked whether they used the bus, the train, or both.

Archaic transition words

Words like “hereby,” “therewith,” and most others formed by the combination of “here,” “there,” or “where” with a preposition are typically avoided in modern academic writing. Using them makes your writing feel old-fashioned and strained and can sometimes obscure your meaning.

• Poverty is best understood as a disease. Hereby , we not only see that it is hereditary, but acknowledge its devastating effects on a person’s health.

These words should usually be replaced with a more explicit phrasing expressing how the current statement relates to the preceding one.

• Poverty is best understood as a disease. Understanding it as such , we not only see that it is hereditary, but also acknowledge its devastating effects on a person’s health.

Using a paraphrasing tool for clear writing

With the use of certain tools, you can make your writing clear. One of these tools is a paraphrasing tool . One thing the tool does is help your sentences make more sense. It has different modes where it checks how your text can be improved. For example, automatically adding transition words where needed.

If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or writing rules make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

 Academic Writing

• Avoiding repetition
• Effective headings
• Passive voice
• Taboo words
• Deep learning
• Generative AI
• Machine learning
• Reinforcement learning
• Supervised vs. unsupervised learning

 (AI) Tools

• Grammar Checker
• Paraphrasing Tool
• Text Summarizer
• AI Detector
• Plagiarism Checker
• Citation Generator

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Caulfield, J. (2023, August 23). Transition Words & Phrases | List & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved August 21, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-writing/transition-words/

Is this article helpful?

Jack Caulfield

Other students also liked, using conjunctions | definition, rules & examples, transition sentences | tips & examples for clear writing, how to write topic sentences | 4 steps, examples & purpose, "i thought ai proofreading was useless but..".

I've been using Scribbr for years now and I know it's a service that won't disappoint. It does a good job spotting mistakes”

The Vocabulary.com Top 1000 

The top 1,000 vocabulary words have been carefully chosen to represent difficult but common words that appear in everyday academic and business writing. These words are also the most likely to appear on the SAT, ACT, GRE, and ToEFL. To create this list, we started with the words that give our users the most trouble and then ranked them by how frequently they appear in our corpus of billions of words from edited sources. If you only have time to study one list of words, this is the list.

Learn words with Flashcards and other activities

Other learning activities, teaching tools, full list of words from this list:.

• consider deem to be At the moment, artemisinin-based therapies are considered the best treatment, but cost about $10 per dose - far too much for impoverished communities. Seattle Times (Feb 16, 2012)
• minute infinitely or immeasurably small The minute stain on the document was not visible to the naked eye.
• accord concurrence of opinion The committee worked in accord on the bill, and it eventually passed.
• evident clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment That confidence was certainly evident in the way Smith handled the winning play with 14 seconds left on the clock.
• practice a customary way of operation or behavior He directed and acted in plays every season and became known for exploring Elizabethan theatre practices .
• intend have in mind as a purpose “Lipstick, as a product intended for topical use with limited absorption, is ingested only in very small quantities,” the agency said on its website.
• concern something that interests you because it is important The scandal broke out in October after former chief executive Michael Woodford claimed he was fired for raising concerns about the company's accounting practices.
• commit perform an act, usually with a negative connotation In an unprecedented front page article in 2003 The Times reported that Mr. Blair, a young reporter on its staff, had committed journalistic fraud. New York Times (Feb 15, 2012)
• issue some situation or event that is thought about As a result, the privacy issues surrounding mobile computing are becoming ever-more complex.
• approach move towards Spain’s jobless rate for people ages 16 to 24 is approaching 50 percent. New York Times (Feb 15, 2012)
• establish set up or found A small French colony, Port Louis, was established on East Falkland in 1764 and handed to the Spanish three years later.
• utter without qualification No one can blame an honest mechanic for holding a wealthy snob in utter contempt. Ingersoll, Robert Green
• conduct direct the course of; manage or control Scientists have been conducting studies of individual genes for years.
• engage consume all of one's attention or time We had nearly two hundred passengers, who were seated about on the sofas, reading, or playing games, or engaged in conversation. Field, Henry M. (Henry Martyn)
• obtain come into possession of He delayed making the unclassified report public while awaiting an Army review, but Rolling Stone magazine obtained the report and posted it Friday night. New York Times (Feb 11, 2012)
• scarce deficient in quantity or number compared with the demand Meanwhile, heating oil could grow more scarce in the Northeast this winter, the Energy Department warned last month. New York Times (Jan 21, 2012)
• policy a plan of action adopted by an individual or social group Inflation has lagged behind the central bank’s 2 percent target, giving policy makers extra scope to cut rates.
• straight successive, without a break After three straight losing seasons, Hoosiers fans were just hoping for a winning record. Seattle Times (Feb 15, 2012)
• stock capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares In other words, Apple’s stock is cheap, and you should buy it. Forbes (Feb 16, 2012)
• apparent clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment But the elderly creak is beginning to become apparent in McCartney’s voice.
• property a basic or essential attribute shared by members of a class Owing to these magic properties , it was often planted near dwellings to keep away evil spirits. Parsons, Mary Elizabeth
• fancy imagine; conceive of; see in one's mind For a time, indeed, he had fancied that things were changed. Weyman, Stanley J.
• concept an abstract or general idea inferred from specific instances As a psychologist, I have always found the concept of speed dating fascinating. Scientific American (Feb 13, 2012)
• court an assembly to conduct judicial business When Brown pleaded not guilty to assaulting Rihanna, their violent past came out in court . Slate (Feb 16, 2012)
• appoint assign a duty, responsibility, or obligation to In 1863 he was appointed by the general assembly professor of oriental languages at New College. Various
• passage a section of text, particularly a section of medium length His interpretation of many obscure scriptural passages by means of native manners and customs and traditions is particularly helpful and informing. Sheets, Emily Churchill Thompson
• vain unproductive of success An attempt was made to ignore this brilliant and irregular book, but in vain ; it was read all over Europe. Various
• instance an occurrence of something In many instances large districts or towns would have fewer representatives than smaller ones, or perhaps none at all. Clarke, Helen Archibald
• coast the shore of a sea or ocean Martello towers must be built within short distances all round the coast . Wingfield, Lewis
• project a planned undertaking The funds are aimed at helping build public projects including mass transit, electricity networks, water utility and ports, it said.
• commission a special group delegated to consider some matter The developers are now seeking approval from the landmarks commission . New York Times (Feb 16, 2012)
• constant a quantity that does not vary In 1929, Hubble independently put forward and confirmed the same idea, and the parameter later became known as the Hubble constant . Nature (Nov 15, 2011)
• circumstances one's overall condition in life The circumstances leading up to the shootings was not immediately available.
• constitute compose or represent Oil and natural gas constituted almost 50 percent of Russian government revenue last year.
• level a relative position or degree of value in a graded group Only last month did the men’s and women’s unemployment rates reach the same level . New York Times (Feb 19, 2012)
• affect have an influence upon The central bank will start distributing low-interest loans in early March to individuals and small- and medium-sized companies affected by the flooding.
• institute set up or lay the groundwork for Corporations have to be more and more focused on instituting higher labor standards. Washington Post (Feb 7, 2012)
• render give an interpretation of But authorities had rendered the weapon and the explosive device inoperable, officials said. Chicago Tribune (Feb 17, 2012)
• appeal be attractive to To get traditional women’s accessories to appeal to men, some designers are giving them manly names and styles. New York Times (Feb 19, 2012)
• generate bring into existence Qualities such as these are not generated under bad working practices of any sort. Hungerford, Edward
• theory a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the world Testing that theory begins Saturday night, as the Capitals take on Tampa Bay in another important contest. Washington Post (Feb 18, 2012)
• range a variety of different things or activities Like American community colleges, admission at an open university is not competitive, but the schools offer a range of programs, including doctoral degrees.
• campaign a race between candidates for elective office At the same point in 2004 — as an incumbent facing re-election — Mr. Bush had taken in about $145.6 million for his campaign . New York Times (Feb 18, 2012)
• league an association of sports teams that organizes matches "When I broke into the big leagues until a month ago, Gary kept in touch," Mets third baseman David Wright said. Seattle Times (Feb 17, 2012)
• labor any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted More labor is entailed, more time is required, greater delay is occasioned in cleaning up, and the amount of water used is much greater. Hoskin, Arthur J.
• confer have a meeting in order to talk something over Ms. Stewart said Mrs. Bachmann conferred with her family and a few aides after her disappointing showing on Tuesday evening. New York Times (Jan 4, 2012)
• grant allow to have He had been granted entry into the White House only for the daily briefing, later that afternoon. New York Times (Feb 17, 2012)
• dwell think moodily or anxiously about something But it is hardly necessary to dwell on so normal an event. Vinogradoff, Paul
• entertain provide amusement for The first Super Bowl in 1967 featured college marching bands entertaining the crowds at halftime.
• contract a binding agreement that is enforceable by law Contracts with utilities will be signed starting next month, he said.
• earnest characterized by a firm, sincere belief in one's opinions Too much praise cannot be given to the earnest and efficient missionaries who founded and have maintained this mission. Miller, George A.
• yield give or supply It is a very important honey plant, as it yields an exceptionally pure nectar and remains in bloom a long time. Parsons, Mary Elizabeth
• wander move or cause to move in a sinuous or circular course While each animal wandered through the maze, its brain was working furiously. New York Times (Feb 16, 2012)
• insist be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge Interior Department officials insisted that they had conducted an extensive scientific inquiry before moving ahead with the spill response plan. New York Times (Feb 17, 2012)
• knight a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry The knight was gallant not only in war, but in love also. Crothers, Samuel McChord
• convince make realize the truth or validity of something But though he listened he was not convinced . Reade, Charles
• inspire serve as the inciting cause of His surprising performance inspired an outpouring of fan adoration that has been dubbed "Linsanity." Chicago Tribune (Feb 19, 2012)
• convention a large formal assembly Last year, the industry’s main trade convention , the Inside Self-Storage World Expo, organized workshops in Las Vegas focusing on lien laws and auction sales. New York Times (Feb 17, 2012)
• skill an ability that has been acquired by training He says many new drivers are terrified of motorway driving because they do not have the skills or confidence needed.
• harry annoy continually or chronically There’s something uplifting about hearing a string instrument when I’m feeling ragged or harried . New York Times (Feb 9, 2012)
• financial involving fiscal matters Meanwhile, universities have raised tuition every year, putting many students in a financial bind. New York Times (Feb 20, 2012)
• reflect show an image of Teens ranting over chores and whatnot can often reflect deeper feelings of alienation or perceived uncaring on the part of parents.
• novel an extended fictional work in prose Before Robert Barr publishes a novel he spends years in thinking the thing out. Anonymous
• furnish provide with objects or articles that make a room usable Instead, according to court documents, the money went toward furnishing mansions, flying in private jets, and retaining a $120,000-a-year personal hairstylist. BusinessWeek (Feb 1, 2012)
• compel force somebody to do something But the flames grew too large, compelling firefighters to call off the rescue. New York Times (Feb 18, 2012)
• venture proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers Clearly he would not venture to descend while his enemy moved. Strang, Herbert
• territory the geographical area under the jurisdiction of a state On Friday, West Africa regional group Ecowas condemned the rebels, urging them to end hostilities and surrender all occupied territory .
• temper a characteristic state of feeling Oscar Wilde, to do him justice, bore this sort of rebuff with astonishing good temper and sweetness. Anonymous
• bent fixed in your purpose The business-oriented constituency of the Republican Party, Jacobs said, has been weakened by a faction bent on lowering taxes and cutting spending.
• intimate marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity The female spider can choose when to cut off intimate relations by eating her partner, or kicking him out. Scientific American (Jan 31, 2012)
• undertake enter upon an activity or enterprise An autopsy has reportedly been undertaken but the results are not expected for several weeks.
• majority more than half of the votes in an election Republicans need just four seats in the Senate to take control as the majority party.
• assert declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true In your talk you asserted the pill's risks of blood clotting, lung artery blockage, heart attack and stroke are minimal.
• crew the people who work on a vehicle Several pilots and crew members would have to escape at once, while safety divers watched, ready to rescue anyone who became stuck. New York Times (Feb 6, 2012)
• chamber a natural or artificial enclosed space "Today," said the old man, "you must push through with me into my most solitary chamber , that we may not be disturbed." Carlyle, Thomas
• humble marked by meekness or modesty; not arrogant or prideful “Challenging yourself, playing up against stronger, tougher, and overall better competition will keep you humble .” Washington Post (Jan 17, 2012)
• scheme an elaborate and systematic plan of action Some companies in the Globe District of Arizona have started extensive underground schemes for mining large tonnages very cheaply by "caving" methods. Hoskin, Arthur J.
• keen demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions Not one of his movements escaped her keen observation; she drank in every shiver. Wingfield, Lewis
• liberal having political views favoring reform and progress Romney’s actually done well in open primaries where fiscally conservative yet socially liberal independents have backed him over his opponents.
• despair a state in which all hope is lost or absent There were wounded love, and wounded pride, and despair , and coming madness, all in that piteous cry. Reade, Charles
• tide the periodic rise and fall of the sea level In the case of mobile connectivity, a rising tide does not lift all boats. Slate (Feb 9, 2012)
• attitude a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings "Behaviours have changed and attitudes have changed," Mr Taylor said.
• justify show to be reasonable or provide adequate ground for He felt sure that if the circumstances justified it, the necessary proceedings could be taken.” Anonymous
• flag a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared three days of mourning and ordered flags flown at half staff. New York Times (Feb 16, 2012)
• merit any admirable or beneficial attribute Thus far in our inquiry extraordinary merits have been offset by extraordinary defects. Ayres, Harry Morgan
• manifest reveal its presence or make an appearance A too rapid transformation of existing conditions might very easily lead to an economic crisis, symptoms of which are already beginning to manifest themselves. Vay, P?ter
• notion a general inclusive concept Does that old notion that defense wins championships still hold up these days? Seattle Times (Jan 13, 2012)
• scale relative magnitude And there might not be much money, so fashion shows are done on a much smaller scale . Seattle Times (Feb 17, 2012)
• formal characteristic of or befitting a person in authority A formal decision to call off the search is likely on Wednesday, rescue officials said. New York Times (Jan 31, 2012)
• resource a new or reserve supply that can be drawn upon when needed “Economists assume that, under normal conditions, markets will allocate resources efficiently,” he added.
• persist continue to exist Old ideas, long after the conditions under which they were produced have passed away, often persist in surviving. Ingersoll, Robert Green
• contempt lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike And with his backhanded contempt for all things ordinary, Blake is making some of the catchiest, most difficult music in recent memory.
• tour a route all the way around a particular place or area He typed in “South Park” and took senior executives on a tour of Web sites offering pirated episodes. New York Times (Feb 8, 2012)
• plead enter a defendant's answer Aria pleaded not guilty, but he acknowledged that he had violated some laws. New York Times (Feb 18, 2012)
• weigh be oppressive or burdensome So far, the political turmoil has not appeared to have discouraged visitors, but prolonged strife could weigh on tourism. New York Times (Feb 11, 2012)
• mode how something is done or how it happens Speaking of science, he says, in language far in advance of his times: ‘There are two modes of knowing—by argument and by experiment. Adams, W. H. Davenport (William Henry Davenport)
• distinction a discrimination between things as different But such a distinction is quite external; at heart the men may be very much alike. Anonymous
• inclined at an angle to the horizontal or vertical position Such an inclined passage following a seam of coal is known as a slope. Hoskin, Arthur J.
• attribute a quality belonging to or characteristic of an entity The authors found that when the available prospects varied more in attributes such as age, height, occupation and educational background, people made fewer dating proposals. Scientific American (Feb 13, 2012)
• exert make a great effort at a mental or physical task School boards may come to exert even greater influence over what students read. Forbes (Jan 23, 2012)
• oppress come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority Those who managed to survive were later oppressed by Poland's post-war communist authorities.
• contend compete for something But eight men, however bold and stout-hearted, could not long contend with an enemy at least four times their number. Strang, Herbert
• stake a strong wooden or metal post driven into the ground His remains were buried in Cannon Street, and a stake was driven through the body. Andrews, William
• toil work hard He toiled in the sweat of his brow, tilling the stubborn ground, taking out stones, building fences. Adler, Felix
• perish pass from physical life Simon Wiesenthal's parents are long since deceased, with his father dying in World War I and his mother perishing in the Holocaust.
• disposition your usual mood Melancholia — the state of mind — can hide behind seemingly sunny dispositions . Seattle Times (Dec 28, 2011)
• rail complain bitterly Mr. Gray railed against lengthy stage directions, saying he crossed them out in scripts before he would begin rehearsals with his actors. New York Times (Feb 7, 2012)
• cardinal one of a group of prominent bishops in the Sacred College Each time he names cardinals he puts his stamp on Roman Catholicism's future by choosing men who share his views. Chicago Tribune (Feb 18, 2012)
• boast talk about oneself with excessive pride or self-regard Mr. Estes was also well connected politically, boasting that the president of the United States took his calls. New York Times (Dec 10, 2011)
• advocate a person who pleads for a person, cause, or idea Well, safety advocates , consumers and the government dragged the automobile industry toward including seat belts, air bags, more visible taillights and other safety features. New York Times (Feb 19, 2012)
• bestow present He bestowed public buildings and river improvements in return for votes. Gilbert, Clinton W. (Clinton Wallace)
• allege report or maintain It is being fired into enclosed areas and homes, the human rights group alleges .
• notwithstanding despite anything to the contrary He seems to have taken things easily enough, notwithstanding the sorrow and suffering that surrounded him on every side. Adams, W. H. Davenport (William Henry Davenport)
• lofty of imposing height; especially standing out above others He found himself in an enormous hall with a lofty ceiling. Blasco Ib??ez, Vicente
• multitude a large indefinite number Department store chains in general have been strained in recent years as a " multitude " of alternatives has emerged, all competing for customers. Chicago Tribune (Dec 28, 2011)
• steep having a sharp inclination It was narrow and very steep , and had precipices in all parts, so that they could not mount upward except one at a time. Various
• heed pay close attention to But Cain was already too far gone to heed the warning voice. Adler, Felix
• modest not large but sufficient in size or amount A healthy person living in an unfashionable city with no student loans to pay off can get by on a fairly modest income. Slate (Feb 17, 2012)
• partial being or affecting only a segment Generalizations of this sweeping order are apt to contain only partial truth. Clarke, Helen Archibald
• apt naturally disposed toward Another reason to display beds at an electronics show: consumers are apt to use high-tech devices while tucked in. New York Times (Jan 9, 2012)
• esteem the condition of being honored Despite being held in the highest esteem by his fellow poets, Redgrove never quite achieved the critical reception or readership he deserved.
• credible appearing to merit belief or acceptance Mike Mullen, then chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has acknowledged receiving the memo but said he ignored it as not credible . New York Times (Dec 19, 2011)
• provoke provide the needed stimulus for It provoked a bigger reaction than we could ever have anticipated.
• tread a step in walking or running The farmer went down, his clumsy boots making no sound on the uncarpeted stairway, so careful was his tread . Woolson, Constance Fenimore
• ascertain learn or discover with confidence Health care providers and manufacturers can ascertain alternative treatment more effectively by tackling predicted drug shortage incidences early in the process. Forbes (Feb 13, 2012)
• fare proceed, get along, or succeed A recent study breaks down how graduates with various college degrees are faring in today’s difficult job market. Washington Post (Feb 17, 2012)
• cede relinquish possession or control over Some militia chiefs say they will only cede command of their fighters once an organized military and security apparatus is in place.
• perpetual continuing forever or indefinitely The river is a perpetual enjoyment, always something going on. Waddington, Mary King
• decree a legally binding command or decision While the decree takes effect immediately, it requires Parliament’s approval within 60 days to remain in force.
• contrive make or work out a plan for; devise The wily Roc, never taken much by surprise, contrived to escape, but old Tributor and his men were all captured. Thornbury, Walter
• derived formed or developed from something else; not original Modern kale, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi are all members of the same species, derived from a single prehistoric plant variety. Slate (Feb 21, 2012)
• elaborate marked by complexity and richness of detail But the tobacco industry and owners of other convenience stores say tribal cigarette manufacturing is just an elaborate form of tax evasion. New York Times (Feb 22, 2012)
• substantial real; having a material or factual existence Defence lawyers said the large number of forensic tests which had been carried out had failed to find any substantial evidence linked to the accused.
• frontier a wilderness at the edge of a settled area of a country Adding to the precarious security situation, tribesmen kidnapped 18 Egyptian border guards along the frontier with Israel in Sinai Peninsula. New York Times (Feb 9, 2012)
• facile arrived at without due care or effort; lacking depth As one teacher remarks about a troubled student, “There is no facile solution.” New York Times (Oct 11, 2011)
• cite make reference to The Federal Reserve has pledged low interest rates until late 2014, citing in part the weakness of the job market.
• warrant show to be reasonable or provide adequate ground for In the United Kingdom and Europe the devices are not used unless the need is warranted by the patient's medical condition.
• sob weep convulsively He cried and trembled, sobbing , while they spoke, like the child he was. Weyman, Stanley J.
• rider a traveler who actively sits and travels on an animal In horseback riding, a rider will give commands by squeezing or lengthening the reins and altering the position of his legs.
• dense permitting little if any light to pass through Dense black smoke rose in the distance as demonstrators burned tires in Shiite villages.
• afflict cause physical pain or suffering in Melanoma globally afflicts nearly 160,000 new people each year.
• flourish grow vigorously His business had been all along steadily flourishing , his patrons had been of high social position, some most illustrious, others actually royal. Petherick, Horace William
• ordain invest with ministerial or priestly authority One of the present bishops was consecrated when quite a young boy, and deacons are often ordained at sixteen, and even much earlier. Bird, Isabella L. (Isabella Lucy)
• pious having or showing or expressing reverence for a deity Mother, you see, is a very pious woman, and she attributes it all to Providence, saying that it was the Divine interference in her behalf. Various
• vex disturb, especially by minor irritations There are vexing problems slowing the growth and the practical implementation of big data technologies. Forbes (Oct 21, 2011)
• gravity the force of attraction between all masses in the universe Once captured, the combined object will have a new center of gravity and may be spinning in an uncontrolled way.
• suspended supported or kept from sinking or falling by buoyancy Frustrating enough at ground level, but can you imagine the agony about a stranded, ever-soggier Oreo being suspended 11 feet above the ground? Washington Post (Feb 21, 2012)
• conspicuous obvious to the eye or mind Its bright scarlet fruits are conspicuous in late autumn. Anonymous
• retort a quick reply to a question or remark Having put him in ill humour with this retort , she fled away rejoicing. Coster, Charles Th?odore Henri de
• jet an airplane powered by gas turbines Typhoon fighter jets , helicopters, two warships and bomb disposal experts will also be on duty to guard against security threats. Seattle Times (Feb 20, 2012)
• bolt run away The blare of bugles was heard, and a few seconds afterwards Jackson, still facing the enemy, shouted: "By Jupiter, they're bolting , sir." Strang, Herbert
• assent agree or express agreement His two companions readily assented , and the promise was mutually given and received. Keightley, Thomas
• purse a sum spoken of as the contents of a money container She watched over her husband, kept his accounts, held the family purse , managed all his affairs.  Shorter, Clement K.
• plus the arithmetic operation of summing The survey’s margin of error was plus or minus four percentage points.
• sanction give authority or permission to The Securities and Exchange Commission said last year it had sanctioned 39 senior officers for conduct related to the housing market meltdown.
• proceeding a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked Chu attended the special court-martial proceeding on Monday in Hawaii, Hill said.
• exalt praise, glorify, or honor Some exalt themselves by anonymously posting their own laudatory reviews. New York Times (Jan 26, 2012)
• siege an action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place Rebellion broke out, and finally the aged Caliph, after enduring a siege of several weeks, was murdered in his own house. Nicholson, Reynold
• malice the desire to see others suffer He viewed the moths with malice , their fluttering wings fanning his resentment. Lyman, Olin L.
• extravagant recklessly wasteful Advisers say new millionaires are prone to mistakes, like making extravagant purchases or risky deals with friends.
• wax increase in phase Carols had existed for centuries, though their popularity waxed and waned as different governments and religious movements periodically declared them sinful.
• throng press tightly together or cram Deafening cheers rent the air as he landed; hundreds thronged around him to clasp his hand. Strang, Herbert
• venerate regard with feelings of respect and reverence He venerated me like a being descended from an upper world. Blasco Ib??ez, Vicente
• assail attack someone physically or emotionally His campaign even issued a press release assailing other rivals for, in Mr. Paul’s view, taking Mr. Romney’s quote about firing people out of context. New York Times (Feb 16, 2012)
• sublime of high moral or intellectual value He was uneven, disproportioned, saying ordinary things on great occasions, and now and then, without the slightest provocation, uttering the sublimest and most beautiful thoughts. Ingersoll, Robert Green
• exploit draw from; make good use of As humans increasingly exploit the deep seas for fish, oil and mining, understanding how species are dispersed is crucial, Copley said. Scientific American (Jan 3, 2012)
• exertion use of physical or mental energy; hard work One day overcome by exertion , she fainted in the street. Ingersoll, Robert Green
• kindle catch fire Then a match was kindled and fire applied. Warner, Susan
• endow furnish with a capital fund The grammar school here, founded in 1533, is liberally endowed , with scholarships and exhibitions. Various
• imposed set forth authoritatively as obligatory The Arab League has already suspended Syria and imposed economic sanctions.
• humiliate cause to feel shame The letter claims pensioners are too often patronised, humiliated , denied privacy or even medical treatment.
• suffrage a legal right to vote There has been a great deal said in this country of late in regard to giving the right of suffrage to women. Ingersoll, Robert Green
• ensue take place or happen afterward or as a result An uproar ensued months after the approval, when opponents realized the online gambling measure had been slipped in. New York Times (Feb 16, 2012)
• brook a natural stream of water smaller than a river He walked across the little bridge over the brook and at once his mood changed. Mason, A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley)
• gale a strong wind moving 34–40 knots The gale was accompanied, as usual, by incessant rain and thick weather, and a heavy confused sea kept our decks always flooded. Fitzroy, Robert
• muse reflect deeply on a subject Musing about the Big Picture may be a lot more gratifying than focusing on the details of the specific policies that aren’t working.
• satire witty language used to convey insults or scorn There’s plenty of humor on Russian television, though not much political satire ; Mr. Putin put a stop to that long ago. New York Times (Feb 13, 2012)
• intrigue cause to be interested or curious Designing and building models that intrigue and educate without overwhelming has been challenging. Science Magazine (Nov 24, 2011)
• indication something that serves to suggest Authorities said an autopsy found no indications of foul play or obvious signs of trauma on Houston. Seattle Times (Feb 15, 2012)
• dispatch send away towards a designated goal More than one assassin was dispatched by the Turkish authorities to murder Napoleon. Various
• cower crouch or curl up The knaves lowered their weapons and shrank back cowering before him. Weyman, Stanley J.
• wont an established custom He made his customary slick feeds to open teammates, but as is their wont , the Nets struggled at times to convert points on his passes. New York Times (Feb 20, 2012)
• tract a system of body parts that serves some specialized purpose When probiotics flourish in the digestive tract , nutrients are better absorbed and bad bugs are held at bay, research suggests. Seattle Times (Jan 10, 2012)
• canon a collection of books accepted as holy scripture For me, all novels of any consequence are literary, and they take their place, high and low, in the canon of English literature.
• impel cause to move forward with force Some power beyond his comprehension was impelling him toward the neighboring city. Blasco Ib??ez, Vicente
• latitude freedom from normal restraints in conduct Great employees often get more latitude to bring up controversial subjects in a group setting because their performance allows greater freedom.
• vacate leave behind empty; move out of Their number diminished sharply after Villaraigosa announced last week that he wanted protesters to vacate the grounds by Monday or be forcibly removed. Chicago Tribune (Nov 30, 2011)
• undertaking any piece of work that is attempted "Let my epitaph be, Here lies Joseph, who was unsuccessful in all his undertakings ." Marvin, Frederic Rowland
• slay kill intentionally and with premeditation "It were shame," said Lancelot, "for an armed to slay an unarmed man." Unknown
• predecessor one who goes before you in time Heller fills in the blanks about Taft, overshadowed by colorful predecessor Teddy Roosevelt. Seattle Times (Feb 22, 2012)
• delicacy the quality of being exquisitely fine in appearance This refinement appears in his works, which are full of artistic grace and dainty delicacy . Drake, Samuel Adams
• forsake leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch "I'm surprised," said Philip, cautiously opening fire, "that you were ever allowed to forsake your native land." Hay, Ian
• beseech ask for or request earnestly Utterly distraught, he ran up and down the bank, hunting for his clothes, calling, crying out, imploring, beseeching help from somewhere. Frank, Ulrich
• philosophical relating to the investigation of existence and knowledge His arguments, like Einstein’s, were qualitative, verging on highly philosophical . Scientific American (Jan 30, 2012)
• grove a small growth of trees without underbrush Soon after we came to Pasadena, father bought an orange grove of twenty-five acres. Chamberlain, James Franklin
• frustrate hinder or prevent, as an effort, plan, or desire Frustrated after two years of missed budget targets, finance chiefs demanded Greek officials put their verbal commitments into law.
• illustrious widely known and esteemed She will be joining an illustrious list of recipients that include Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Pope John Paul II and Princess Diana.
• device an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose You’ve probably also noticed that the telephone and computer are no longer the only devices on your employees’ desks. Forbes (Feb 26, 2012)
• pomp cheap or pretentious or vain display Throughout U.S. history, Americans have been fascinated by royal pomp -- even on a movie screen.
• entreat ask for or request earnestly "Let me go now, please," she entreated , her eyes unable to meet his any longer. Hope, Anthony
• impart transmit, as knowledge or a skill Long before writing and books were in common use, proverbs were the principal means of imparting instruction. Preston, Thomas
• propriety correct behavior I felt a trifle doubtful about the propriety of taking a short cut across private grounds, and said as much. Sutphen, Van Tassel
• consecrate render holy by means of religious rites The building was consecrated as a Protestant Episcopal church in May, 1814. Faris, John T. (John Thomson)
• proceeds the income or profit arising from a transaction His own share in the proceeds was about a hundred thousand dollars. Stark, James H.
• fathom come to understand But after flying for so many years, the idea of hanging up his sparkling wings is hard for him to fathom . New York Times (Mar 17, 2012)
• objective the goal intended to be attained The objective was to mobilize students from 18 high schools across the city to provide community services and inspire others. New York Times (Feb 5, 2012)
• clad wearing or provided with clothing A few of the villagers came behind, clad in mourning robes, and bearing lighted tapers. Various
• partisan devoted to a cause or political group But given the bitter partisan divide in an election year, Democrats said they would never be able to get such legislation passed. Chicago Tribune (Mar 30, 2012)
• faction a dissenting clique One faction declared it would begin an armed struggle against the government of the United States. Slate (Feb 29, 2012)
• contrived artificially formal In lesser hands the story about a young man who discovers life among the dead could be impossibly cute and contrived . New York Times (Mar 25, 2012)
• venerable impressive by reason of age Thus, after much more than two hundred years, the venerable building looks almost as it did when the first students entered its doors. Faris, John T. (John Thomson)
• restrained not showy or obtrusive By contrast, Mr. Pei’s restrained design took time to claim my attention, particularly since it sat quietly next door to Saarinen’s concrete gull wings. New York Times (Oct 6, 2011)
• besiege harass, as with questions or requests He can’t trot down the street without being besieged by paparazzi. New York Times (Mar 18, 2012)
• manifestation a clear appearance Singing and dancing are manifestations of what many Syrians describe as a much broader cultural flowering. New York Times (Dec 19, 2011)
• rebuke an act or expression of criticism and censure Afterward, the leaders fought court orders to release records showing what they had done, drawing an uncommonly sharp rebuke from a federal judge. Washington Post (Mar 14, 2012)
• insurgent in opposition to a civil authority or government The Free Syrian Army, an insurgent group made of defecting soldiers and based in southern Turkey, claimed responsibility for both attacks. New York Times (Nov 20, 2011)
• rhetoric using language effectively to please or persuade His fiery rhetoric in support of limiting cuts to projected defense spending has surprised and impressed some of Obama's toughest Republican critics.
• scrupulous having ethical or moral principles The reason is that the vast majority of businesses are scrupulous and treat their employees well.
• ratify approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation Company officials at Safeway said those replacement workers will remain on standby until the agreement is ratified by union members. Washington Post (Mar 29, 2012)
• stump cause to be perplexed or confounded Though family members long suspected Evans, a local handyman who frequently hired local youths, the case stumped investigators for years. Washington Post (Aug 30, 2011)
• discreet marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint Sarkozy has attempted to tone down his image, becoming more discreet about his private life.
• imposing impressive in appearance These buildings were grand and stylized with intricate details and a bit of an imposing presence. Scientific American (Mar 5, 2012)
• wistful showing pensive sadness She turned toward him, her face troubled, her eyes most wistful . Mason, A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley)
• mortify cause to feel shame Intensely mortified at this humiliation, the king fell sick, and henceforth his health failed rapidly. Various
• ripple stir up so as to form small waves That could precipitate higher interest rates that would ripple across the economy. Washington Post (Jul 27, 2011)
• premise a statement that is held to be true Success, real success, comes to the jack of all trades, a major premise handed down from pioneer days. Gilbert, Clinton W. (Clinton Wallace)
• subside wear off or die down Affliction is allayed, grief subsides , sorrow is soothed, distress is mitigated. Webster, Noah
• adverse contrary to your interests or welfare High doses can have adverse effects and even cause death. Seattle Times (Mar 26, 2012)
• caprice a sudden desire Nobody is really in charge, and decisions are made on whim and caprice .” New York Times (Apr 10, 2011)
• muster summon up, call forth, or bring together Yet Fox needed all the strength that he could muster . Rosebery, Archibald Phillip Primrose
• comprehensive broad in scope The United States Army developed a comprehensive plan to address problematic race relations in the 1970s, recognizing that they were hampering military effectiveness. New York Times (Feb 6, 2012)
• accede yield to another's wish or opinion Therefore he made up his mind to accede to his uncle's desire. Streckfuss, Adolph
• fervent characterized by intense emotion But, to fervent applause and scattered fist pumps from two sets of worshipers, he pledged to legally challenge the claims against him. New York Times (Sep 26, 2010)
• cohere cause to form a united, orderly, and consistent whole Two antagonistic values may cohere in the same object. Anderson, Benjamin M. (Benjamin McAlester)
• tribunal an assembly to conduct judicial business The military has historically been protected from civilian courts, with any crimes committed by soldiers being decided in closed military tribunals .
• austere severely simple A certain austere simplicity was noticeable all over Longfellow's house. Anonymous
• recovering returning to health after illness or debility “The recovering economy is bringing more people back into the market. Washington Post (Mar 22, 2012)
• stratum a group of people sharing similar wealth and status She belonged to the upper stratum of the profession, and, knowing it, could not sink. George, Walter Lionel
• conscientious characterized by extreme care and great effort A conscientious hostess would be very much mortified if she served chicken out of its proper course. Reed, Myrtle
• arbitrary based on or subject to individual discretion or preference Sandra Nurse, a member of Occupy's direct action working group, said police treated demonstrators roughly and made arbitrary arrests. Time (Mar 18, 2012)
• exasperate irritate Shopkeepers, exasperated at the impact of higher taxes and reduced consumer spending, are planning to close down for the day. New York Times (Feb 7, 2012)
• conjure summon into action or bring into existence Vacation homes typically conjure up dreams of blue skies, pristine sand and crystalline waters. Wall Street Journal (Feb 28, 2012)
• ominous threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments The Count's words were so ominous , so full of sinister meaning that for the moment he felt like crying out with fear. Hocking, Joseph
• edifice a structure that has a roof and walls They are here erecting a fine stone edifice for an Episcopal Church. Clark, John A.
• elude escape, either physically or mentally But despite racking up world titles, Olympic gold was eluding him.
• pervade spread or diffuse through An air of intense anticipation pervaded the General’s dining room. Burnett, Carolyn Judson
• foster promote the growth of Mr. Horne accused the district’s Mexican-American studies program of using an antiwhite curriculum to foster social activism. New York Times (Mar 19, 2012)
• admonish scold or reprimand; take to task "Children, children, stop quarrelling, right here in public!" admonished Mrs. Dering, in a low, shocked tone. Perry, Nora
• repeal cancel officially If Republicans repeal the law, Ms. Schakowsky said, they would be “taking away benefits that seniors are already getting.” New York Times (Mar 19, 2012)
• retiring not arrogant or presuming Foster was an extremely modest, unworldly, retiring gentleman. Rosenbach, A. S. W.
• incidental not of prime or central importance The models themselves are incidental on “Scouted,” merely empty planets around which revolve some fascinating characters and plenty more dull ones. New York Times (Nov 27, 2011)
• acquiesce agree or express agreement American officials initially tried to resist President Karzai’s moves but eventually acquiesced . New York Times (Mar 9, 2012)
• slew a large number or amount or extent In fact, intense focus may be one reason why so-called savants become so extraordinary at performing extensive calculations or remembering a slew of facts. Scientific American (Mar 3, 2012)
• usurp seize and take control without authority More than anything, though, officials expressed concern about reigniting longstanding Mexican concerns about the United States’ usurping Mexico’s authority. New York Times (Mar 15, 2011)
• sentinel a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event The prisoners undressed themselves as usual, and went to bed, observed by the sentinel . Drake, Samuel Adams
• precision the quality of being exact At this time, home ranges of small rodents can not be measured with great precision , therefore any such calculations are, at best, only approximations. Douglas, Charles L.
• depose force to leave an office Late Wednesday, Mr. Touré, the deposed president, spoke out from hiding for the first time. New York Times (Mar 30, 2012)
• wanton unprovoked or without motive or justification I am not a sentimentalist by any means, yet I abominate wanton cruelty. Stables, Gordon
• odium state of disgrace resulting from detestable behavior This was one of the men who bring odium on the whole class of prisoners, and prejudice society against them. Henderson, Frank
• precept a rule of personal conduct The law of nature has but one precept , "Be strong." Williams, C. M.
• deference a courteous expression of esteem or regard Other rules, as indicated in Mr. Collins' book, concerned deportment, and demanded constant deference to superiors. Faris, John T. (John Thomson)
• fray a noisy fight Armed rebels have joined the fray in recent months.
• candid openly straightforward and direct without secretiveness The actor was candid about his own difficult childhood growing up with alcoholic parents. Seattle Times (Feb 17, 2012)
• enduring unceasing What makes the galumphing hubby such an enduring stock character? Slate (Mar 26, 2012)
• impertinent improperly forward or bold Imagine calling a famous writer by his first name—it seemed impertinent , to say the least. Watkins, Shirley
• bland lacking stimulating characteristics; uninteresting Many critics were less than enamored with the kind of “easy listening” Mr. Williams embodied, deriding his approach as bland and unchallenging. New York Times (Oct 9, 2011)
• insinuate suggest in an indirect or covert way; give to understand "Good heavens, do you mean to insinuate that I did anything crooked?" said Bojo loudly, yet at the bottom ill at ease. Johnson, Owen
• nominal insignificantly small; a matter of form only He sought nominal damages of one dollar from each defendant.
• suppliant humbly entreating The colonists asked for nothing but what was clearly right and asked in the most respectful and even suppliant manner. Judson, L. Carroll
• languid lacking spirit or liveliness Many viewers, bored by the languid pace of the show, tuned out early. New York Times (Dec 30, 2011)
• rave praise enthusiastically I have heard lots of women simply rave about him. Kauffman, Reginald Wright
• monetary relating to or involving money A hundred years ago, monetary policy – control over interest rates and the availability of credit – was viewed as a highly contentious political issue. New York Times (Mar 29, 2012)
• headlong in a hasty and foolhardy manner “They may not be wishing to rush headlong back into the same sort of risks just yet.”
• infallible incapable of failure or error But conductors are no more infallible than other people, and once in a blue moon in going through a train they miss a passenger. Lynde, Francis
• coax influence or persuade by gentle and persistent urging He used his most enticing manner and did his best to coax the little animal out again. Kay, Ross
• explicate elaborate, as of theories and hypotheses He urged judges to resist the rigid guidelines and to write opinions explicating their reasons for doing so. New York Times (Jan 22, 2010)
• gaunt very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold Gaunt , starved, and ragged, the men marched northwards, leaving the Touat country upon their left hand. Mason, A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley)
• morbid suggesting the horror of death and decay Earlier in the day, however, his demise was watched by spectators with a morbid fascination. New York Times (Aug 16, 2010)
• ranging wandering freely His detective work is fascinating and wide ranging . Seattle Times (Feb 1, 2012)
• pacify ease the anger, agitation, or strong emotion of How they pacified him I don’t know, but at the end of two hours he had cooled off enough to let us go aboard. Quincy, Samuel M.
• pastoral idyllically rustic He made a considerable reputation as an accomplished painter of quiet pastoral subjects and carefully elaborated landscapes with cattle. Various
• dogged stubbornly unyielding Some analysts expect Mr. Falcone, who is known for his dogged determination, to just continue to limp along while slashing costs. New York Times (Feb 15, 2012)
• ebb fall away or decline Although Gardner’s competitive appetite ebbed after 2004, other cravings did not. New York Times (Jan 28, 2012)
• aide someone who acts as an assistant She later found work as a teacher’s aide in a Head Start program in Harlem. New York Times (Jan 12, 2012)
• appease cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of The king also has tried to appease public anger over corruption. New York Times (Feb 9, 2012)
• stipulate make an express demand or provision in an agreement The mayor has an executive order in place stipulating that all top officials, except those granted a waiver, live in the city. New York Times (Sep 22, 2011)
• recourse something or someone turned to for assistance or security Bargain hunters and holiday shoppers are bad guys’ favorite targets and have little or no recourse when shoddy or fake merchandise arrives. Forbes (Nov 22, 2011)
• constrained lacking spontaneity; not natural All his goodness, however, will be of a forced, constrained , artificial, and at bottom unreal character. Hyde, William De Witt
• bate moderate or restrain; lessen the force of “You called her ‘an interfering, disagreeable old woman’!” whispered Bertha with bated breath, glancing half fearfully at the door as she spoke. Vaizey, George de Horne, Mrs.
• aversion a feeling of intense dislike Already my passive dislike had grown into an active aversion . Oppenheim, E. Phillips (Edward Phillips)
• conceit an artistic device or effect An urban panorama is viewed from a high vantage point, a conceit used in topographic art to render vast perspectives. New York Times (Sep 30, 2011)
• loath strongly opposed Friends and political allies are loath to talk about her, knowing the family’s intense obsession with privacy. New York Times (Aug 14, 2011)
• rampart an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes The night was gloomy, dark, and wet; the soldiers, wearied with watching at the ramparts , dozed, leaning on their weapons. Sienkiewicz, Henryk
• extort obtain by coercion or intimidation The owners, in turn, have called the lawyers shakedown artists bent on ruining their good reputations to extort money. New York Times (Jan 27, 2012)
• tarry leave slowly and hesitantly For two days I tarried in Paris, settling my little property. Ford, Paul Leicester
• perpetrate perform an act, usually with a negative connotation Come on it’s just a cruel joke perpetrated by the airline industry.” Forbes (Dec 11, 2011)
• decorum propriety in manners and conduct Wishing to observe the rules of decorum she invited him to stay for supper, though absolutely nothing had been prepared for a guest. Sudermann, Hermann
• luxuriant produced or growing in extreme abundance Her luxuriant curly hair, restrained by no net, but held together simply by a flowering spray, waved over her shoulders in all its rich abundance. Elisabeth Burstenbinder (AKA E. Werner)
• cant insincere talk about religion or morals It was the familiar cant of the man rich enough to affect disdain for money, and Wade was not impressed. Day, Holman
• enjoin give instructions to or direct somebody to do something He turned to beckon the others forward with one hand, while laying the other over his mouth in a gesture enjoining silence. Breckenridge, Gerald
• avarice extreme greed for material wealth The old man's fears were assailed with threats, and his avarice was approached by bribes, and he very soon capitulated. Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot)
• edict a formal or authoritative proclamation An edict was issued by him forbidding any Christian to give instruction in Greek literature under any circumstances. Lightfoot, J. B.
• disconcert cause to lose one's composure Perplexed and disconcerted , I found no words to answer such an amazing sally. Chambers, Robert W. (Robert William)
• symmetry balance among the parts of something Even the staging displays symmetry , with actors lined up on either side in formal precision. New York Times (Jan 24, 2011)
• capitulate surrender under agreed conditions "Alas, no," said Bergfeld, mournfully, "the day after the battle our brave soldiers were surrounded by overwhelming forces and obliged to capitulate ." Meding, Johann Ferdinand Martin Oskar
• arbitrate act between parties with a view to reconciling differences The Scottish throne was now disputed by many claimants, and the Scots asked Edward to arbitrate between them. Various
• cleave separate or cut with a tool, such as a sharp instrument Instead someone shouts "Go" and he is bearing down on me and almost cleaves my shield in two with his first blow.
• append add to the very end Some specimens will appear in the papers appended to this report. Various
• visage the human face An honest, quiet laugh often mantled his pale earnest visage . Turnbull, Robert
• horde a moving crowd Hordes of puzzled tourists, many with rolling suitcases attached, poured down the staircases. New York Times (Jan 1, 2012)
• parable a short moral story In most instances, I have closed my visits by reading some interesting story or parable . Frothingham, Octavius Brooks
• chastise scold or criticize severely She remembers an upsetting incident when a headmistress chastised her for working too much.
• foil hinder or prevent, as an effort, plan, or desire On March 1st, a Turkish newspaper reported that the country's intelligence service had foiled an attempt by Syrian agents to kidnap the colonel.
• veritable being truly so called; real or genuine The heavy rain had reduced this low-lying ground to a veritable quagmire, making progress very difficult even for one as unburdened as he was. Putnam Weale, B. L. (Bertram Lenox)
• grapple work hard to come to terms with or deal with something But, he said, all coastal communities will have to grapple with rising seas. New York Times (Mar 24, 2012)
• gentry the most powerful members of a society The mode of travel of the gentry was riding horses, but most people traveled by walking. Reilly, S. A.
• pall a sudden feeling of dread or gloominess Residents who fled in recent days spoke of the smell of death and piles of garbage drifting like snowbanks, casting a pall over the city. New York Times (Mar 7, 2012)
• maxim a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits The maxim "All is fair in love and war" was applied literally. Thomson, Basil
• projection a prediction made by extrapolating from past observations Volume is down 25 percent from five years ago, and projections show even further declines, said Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe. New York Times (Mar 22, 2012)
• prowess a superior skill learned by study and practice While our engineering prowess has advanced a great deal over the past sixty years, the principles of innovation largely have not.
• dingy thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot Though composed amid the unromantic surroundings of a dingy , dusty, and neglected back room, the speech has become a memorable document. Herndon, William H.
• semblance the outward or apparent appearance or form of something He was perceptibly older, in the way in which people look older all at once after having long kept the semblance of youth. King, Basil
• tout advertise in strongly positive terms Testing is being touted as the means of making the U.S. education system competitive, even world-class. Washington Post (Mar 23, 2012)
• fortitude strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity Leigh Hunt bore himself in his captivity with cheerful fortitude , suffering severely in health but flagging little in spirits or industry. Colvin, Sidney
• asunder into parts or pieces In 1854, as I have already remarked, Nicaragua was split asunder by civil war. Powell, E. Alexander (Edward Alexander)
• rout an overwhelming defeat It's how Seattle won Sunday's game in Chicago, scoring 31 consecutive second-half points as an impressive comeback became an overwhelming rout . Seattle Times (Dec 19, 2011)
• staid characterized by dignity and propriety He was prim and staid and liked to do things in an orderly fashion. Doyle, A. Conan
• beguile influence by slyness I can no longer remain silent in the presence of the schemers who seek to beguile you. Bolanden, Conrad von
• purport have the often misleading appearance of being or intending Of course, none of these purported medical benefits have any grounding in science. Scientific American (Jan 28, 2012)
• deprave corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality The people who make up this typical Gorky offering are drunkards, thieves, depraved creatures of every kind. Kilmer, Joyce
• bequeath leave or give, especially by will after one's death No matter how often she changed her will, she told me, that diamond pin was always bequeathed to me. Wells, Carolyn
• enigma something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained Tails are often an enigma ; many creatures have them, but scientists know little about their function, particularly for extinct species.
• assiduous marked by care and persistent effort He's an assiduous diary-keeper and regularly rereads ancient entries to check up on himself.
• vassal a person who owes allegiance and service to a feudal lord And what was of still greater importance, he could only obtain taxes and soldiers from among the vassals , by the consent of their feudal lords. Freytag, Gustav
• quail draw back, as with fear or pain He quailed before me, and forgetting his new part in old habits, muttered an apology. Weyman, Stanley John
• outskirts area relatively far from the center, as of a city or town Ms. Waters talked about how she had spent the day at an organic farm on the outskirts of Beijing looking at vegetables for the dinner. New York Times (Nov 14, 2011)
• bulwark a protective structure of stone or concrete The cliffs are of imposing height, nearly three hundred feet: a formidable bulwark . White, Walter
• swerve an erratic turn from an intended course However, I was not going to swerve from my word. Johnstone, James Johnstone, chevalier de
• gird prepare oneself for action or a confrontation Protesters are girding for another police raid as several City Council members have called on protesters to leave. Washington Post (Nov 11, 2011)
• betrothed pledged to be married We are not betrothed '—her eyes filled with tears,—'he can never marry me; and he and my father have quarrelled. Fleming, George
• prospective of or concerned with or related to the future Most prospective homesteaders make the same mistake I did in buying horses, unless they are experienced. Micheaux, Oscar
• advert make reference to In the family circle it was rarely adverted to, and never except when some allusion to the approaching separation had to be made. Werner, E. T. C. (Edward Theodore Chalmers)
• peremptory not allowing contradiction or refusal This time it was not a request but a peremptory order to go at once to Cuba and undertake the work. Johnson, Willis Fletcher
• rudiment the elementary stage of any subject He retraced his steps, and came to Cape Girardeau, in Missouri, where he remained some time, acquiring the rudiments of the English language. Anonymous
• deduce reason from the general to the particular They then used models of global wind circulation to deduce which dust sources have become stronger and which weaker.
• halting proceeding in a fragmentary, hesitant, or ineffective way “I so much love cricket,” he said, shyly, in halting English. New York Times (Feb 22, 2012)
• ignominy a state of dishonor After all, we love nothing better than seeing the powerful and formerly smug dragged across the front pages in ignominy .
• ideology an orientation that characterizes the thinking of a group Bill O’Reilly and others picked up on the theme, summing up left-wing ideology as “San Francisco values.” Slate (Jan 19, 2012)
• pallid lacking in vitality or interest or effectiveness But too often the music sounded thin and pallid . New York Times (Apr 25, 2010)
• chagrin strong feelings of embarrassment But he was feeling deeply chagrined and mortified over his last escapade. White, Fred M. (Fred Merrick)
• obtrude thrust oneself in as if by force She had no right to obtrude herself into his life and to disturb it. Packard, Frank L. (Frank Lucius)
• audacious disposed to venture or take risks In an audacious operation that unfolded like a Hollywood thriller, the Navy Seals executed a daring raid deep into Pakistan to kill Osama bin Laden. New York Times (Sep 4, 2011)
• construe make sense of; assign a meaning to But nothing that was said Tuesday can be construed as good news. Washington Post (Sep 14, 2011)
• ford cross a river where it's shallow Sometimes they drive their teams through unsettled country, without roads, swimming and fording streams, clearing away obstructions, and camping where night overtakes them. Folsom, William Henry Carman
• repast the food served and eaten at one time Fragrant coffee, light rolls, fresh butter, ham and eggs, fried crocuses and soft crabs, formed the repast . Reid, Mayne
• stint an unbroken period of time during which you do something He found his unionized warehouse job after a stint working for his father, an accountant. New York Times (Mar 21, 2012)
• fresco a mural done with watercolors on wet plaster The little church has an ancient fresco of St. Christopher, placed, as usual, opposite the entrance. Conybeare, Edward
• dutiful willingly obedient out of a sense of respect Perhaps he thinks an engaged young lady should be demure and dutiful , having no eyes or ears for any one except her betrothed. Harland, Marion
• hew make or shape as with an axe They bought a log chain, and lumber for a door; the window frames were hewed from logs. Daughters of the American Revolution. Nebraska
• parity functional equality How many of the world’s problems would be solved, or at least greatly reduced, if women had true parity with men? New York Times (Dec 15, 2011)
• affable diffusing warmth and friendliness He was well liked and respected in these islands, for his affable manners had obtained for him much popularity. Various
• interminable tiresomely long; seemingly without end All was going well, but slowly, the time taken for the last few feet seeming to be interminable . Cumberland, Barlow
• pillage steal goods; take as spoils In addition great material losses were inflicted: seven hundred houses were destroyed, six hundred stores pillaged , and thousands of families utterly ruined. Straus, Oscar S.
• foreboding a feeling of evil to come Mr. Harding had strong forebodings that the trouble, so far from being ended, was only just beginning. Marsh, Richard
• rend tear or be torn violently In the distance heavy artillery was growling, and high explosive shells were bursting with a violence that seemed to rend the sky. Tracy, Louis
• livelihood the financial means whereby one supports oneself With businesses shut, fields untended and fishing abandoned many have lost their livelihoods as well as their homes, our correspondent says.
• deign do something that one considers to be below one's dignity To Mr. Gompers' courteous letter Czar Gary did not deign to reply. Foster, William Z.
• capricious determined by chance or impulse rather than by necessity Her admirers were capricious , returning to her at times, and then holding aloof again; and as for suitors, they entirely disappeared. Schubin, Ossip
• stupendous so great in size, force, or extent as to elicit awe The fact was so stupendous that Terry felt almost frightened over the great good fortune. Sabin, Edwin L. (Edwin Legrand)
• chaff material consisting of seed coverings and pieces of stem The wheat, being heavy, falls, while the chaff is blown away. Starr, Frederick
• innate not established by conditioning or learning In other words, one of our most essential abilities as humans--reading--is the product of a combination of innate and learned traits.
• reverie an abstracted state of absorption He stood still, seemingly lost in reverie , and quite oblivious to the group about him. Frey, Hildegard G. (Hildegard Gertrude)
• wrangle quarrel noisily, angrily, or disruptively Here were many fierce and bitter wrangles over vexed questions, turbulent scenes, displays of sectional feelings. Raymond, Evelyn
• crevice a long narrow opening The disruptive power of tree roots, growing in the crevices of rocks, is well known. Various
• ostensible appearing as such but not necessarily so This already-exhaustive book is studded with diary entries, academic papers and other ostensible evidence that its fictitious stories of destruction are true. New York Times (Jun 6, 2010)
• craven lacking even the rudiments of courage; abjectly fearful Was it for them to follow the craven footsteps of a cowardly generation? Robinson, Victor
• vestige an indication that something has been present Now, there was no vestige of vegetation; no living thing. Hopkins, William John
• plumb examine thoroughly and in great depth Tellingly, Ms. Liao said she had great difficulty finding three actors willing to plumb their own personalities. New York Times (Jun 1, 2011)
• reticent not inclined to talk or provide information No questions were asked, and few indeed were the words spoken, his reticent manner preventing any undue familiarity. Maclean, John
• propensity an inclination to do something A longtime colleague, Gate Theatre director Michael Colgan, noted Kelly's old-school charms, punctuated by his propensity for bow ties and smart suits. Seattle Times (Feb 15, 2012)
• chide scold or reprimand severely or angrily He chided reporters as having “stalked” family members, demanding that his relatives be left alone. New York Times (Nov 8, 2011)
• espouse choose and follow a theory, idea, policy, etc. He said Islam should not be equated with terrorism or the kind of violence espoused by Bin Laden.
• raiment especially fine or decorative clothing Clothed in fine raiment and faring sumptuously every day, he soon developed into a handsome lad. Oxley, J. Macdonald (James Macdonald)
• intrepid invulnerable to fear or intimidation There are some very courageous and intrepid reporters in Afghanistan, including some who work for American media outlets.
• seemly according with custom or propriety The Baron was less conscientious, for he ate more beefsteak than was seemly , and talked a great deal of stupid nonsense, as was his wont. Hoffmann, Ernst Theordor Wilhelm
• allay lessen the intensity of or calm Our boy was scared and confused; we tried to allay his fears. New York Times (Mar 30, 2012)
• fitful occurring in spells and often abruptly She had lost her composure, her breath came in fitful , uneven gasps, and as she sat there she pressed one hand over her heart. Davis, Owen
• erode become ground down or deteriorate Another report today showed home prices fell more than forecast in November, eroding the wealth of families as they seek to rebuild savings.
• unaffected free of artificiality; sincere and genuine His conversation was unaffectedly simple and frank; his language natural; always abounding in curious anecdotes. Conway, Moncure Daniel
• canto a major division of a long poem Folengo’s next production was the Orlandino, an Italian poem of eight cantos , written in rhymed octaves. Various
• docile easily handled or managed Time and again humans have domesticated wild , producing tame individuals with softer appearances and more docile temperaments, such as dogs and guinea pigs. Scientific American (Jan 25, 2012)
• patronize treat condescendingly Ms. Paul herself noted that “glib talk about appreciating dyslexia as a ‘gift’ is unhelpful at best and patronizing at worst.” New York Times (Feb 6, 2012)
• teem be full of or abuzz with The coast, once teeming with traffic, is now lonely and deserted. Mahaffy, J. P.
• estrange arouse hostility or indifference in An atmosphere of distrust, suspicion and fear can cause workers to feel estranged from one another, Dr. Wright has written. New York Times (Jan 28, 2012)
• spat a quarrel about petty points Public spats are rare in the asset-management industry, where companies typically resolve disputes behind closed doors.
• warble sing or play with trills Meadow larks, as you have undoubtedly noticed, warble many different songs. Barrett, R. E.
• mien a person's appearance, manner, or demeanor Nevertheless, before going to meet Samuel, she assumed a calm and dignified mien . Kraszewski, Jo?zef Ignacy
• sate fill to contentment His appetite was not sated by any means, but he knew the danger of overloading his stomach, so he stopped. Dewey, Edward Hooker
• constituency the body of voters who elect a representative for their area Each posited that the blue-collar Democratic constituency rooted in the New Deal had grown increasingly conservative, alienated from “big government.” New York Times (Jan 14, 2012)
• patrician characteristic of the nobility or aristocracy Respectable ladies, long resident, wearing black poke bonnets and camel's-hair shawls, lifted their patrician eyebrows with disapproval. Brooks, Charles Stephen
• parry avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing The boys asked a few guarded questions, but gained no information whatever, their questions being parried in every instance. Mears, James R.
• practitioner someone who carries out a learned profession In particular, modern medical practitioners are coming around to the idea that certain illnesses cannot be reduced to one isolatable, treatable cause. Nature (Dec 21, 2011)
• ravel disentangle or separate out Overcasting is done by taking loose stitches over the raw edge of the cloth, to keep it from ravelling or fraying. Ontario. Ministry of Education
• infest occupy in large numbers or live on a host Many lived in dilapidated apartments with leaky pipes, broken windows, rooms full of mold, and walls infested with cockroaches and rats. New York Times (Jul 28, 2011)
• actuate give an incentive for doing something He knew that men were actuated by other motives, good and bad, than self-interest. Blease, Walter Lyon
• surly unfriendly and inclined toward anger or irritation But Blake, being surly and quarrelsome even when sober, gave the lapel a savage jerk, and reached out with his other hand. Chisholm, A. M. (Arthur Murray)
• convalesce get over an illness or shock Patients convalescing from pneumonia were evacuated to England or given Base Duty. Jahns, Lewis E.
• demoralize lower someone's spirits; make downhearted The storm clobbered many communities still recovering from the flooding two months ago caused by Hurricane Irene, leaving weary homeowners exhausted and demoralized . Washington Post (Nov 1, 2011)
• devolve grow worse As the rhetoric heated up inside, the violence outside devolved into chaos.
• alacrity liveliness and eagerness Every one exerted himself not only without murmuring and discontent, but even with an alacrity which almost approached to cheerfulness. Kippis, Andrew
• waive do without or cease to hold or adhere to Low rates have also led retail brokerages to waive fees on money market funds to avoid negative returns for their clients.
• unwonted out of the ordinary He must rush off to see his people, who no doubt were quite confounded by his unwonted energy. Speed, Nell
• seethe be in an agitated emotional state Outwardly quite calm and matter-of-fact, his mind was in a seething turmoil. Douglas, Hudson
• scrutinize look at critically or searchingly, or in minute detail Fans and commentators are scrutinizing every blemish: his turnovers, his weak left hand, his jump shot. New York Times (Mar 5, 2012)
• diffident lacking self-confidence Shyly diffident in the presence of strangers, her head was lowered. Packard, Frank L. (Frank Lucius)
• execrate curse or declare to be evil or anathema When all Great Britain was execrating Napoleon, picturing him as a devil with horns and hoofs, Byron looked upon him as the world's hero. Hubbard, Elbert
• implacable incapable of being appeased or pacified This man was a savage in his implacable desire for revenge. Kelly, Florence Finch
• pique a sudden outburst of anger A talented youngster who smashes his guitar in a fit of pique finds it magically reassembled just in time for a crucial concert.
• mite a slight but appreciable amount I never saw anybody so pleased with monkeys as she is, and not one mite afraid. Raymond, Evelyn
• encumber hold back, impede, or weigh down Two others were making slower progress for the reason that each was encumbered by supporting a disabled man. Westerman, Percy F. (Percy Francis)
• uncouth lacking refinement or cultivation or taste He had not stopped to consider her rough speech and uncouth manners. Johnston, Annie F. (Annie Fellows)
• petulant easily irritated or annoyed The black eyes emitted an angry flash, the voice that answered was sharp and petulant . Fleming, May Agnes
• expiate make amends for Wulphere was absolved on condition that he should expiate his crime by founding churches and monasteries all over his kingdom. Clifton, A. B.
• cavalier showing a lack of concern or seriousness Some would have given Nicklaus a cavalier response: polite nod while thinking, “Yeah, whatever.” New York Times (Jun 18, 2011)
• banter light teasing repartee Our easy banter had suddenly been replaced by strained and awkward interaction. Slate (Feb 15, 2012)
• bluster act in an arrogant, overly self-assured, or conceited manner Slade, despite his swaggers and blustering , was at heart a coward. Landon, Herman
• debase corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality Long oppression had not, on the whole, either blunted their intellects or debased their morals. Adler, Felix
• retainer a person working in the service of another This faithful and trusted retainer is greatly valued by his employers. Black, Helen C.
• subjugate make subservient; force to submit or subdue The Confederacy was led by thoroughgoing racists who wanted to keep blacks subjugated for all time because of the color of their skin. Slate (Apr 7, 2010)
• extol praise, glorify, or honor How I praised the duck at that first dinner, and extolled Madame's skill in cookery! Warren, Arthur
• fraught filled with or attended with But the ocean remains an unpredictable place, fraught with hazards. Scientific American (Apr 5, 2012)
• august profoundly honored At all times reserved in his manner and his bearing full of dignity, never before had she realized the majesty of General Washington’s august presence. Madison, Lucy Foster
• fissure a long narrow depression in a surface The brown bark is not very rough, though its numerous fissures and cracks give it a rugged appearance. Step, Edward
• knoll a small natural mound Opened in 2008, the park serves as a true public space; elderly couples stroll around the artificial lake as toddlers roll down grassy knolls . New York Times (May 7, 2010)
• callous emotionally hardened Outwardly merry and good-humoured, he was by nature coldly fierce, calculating, callous . Wingfield, Lewis
• inculcate teach and impress by frequent repetitions or admonitions But instruction in history has been for a long time systematically used to inculcate certain political sentiments in the pupils. Liebknecht, Karl Paul August Friedrich
• nettle disturb, especially by minor irritations Lincoln began these remarks by good-humored but nettling chaffing of his opponent. Various
• blanch turn pale, as if in fear He is silent, as if struck dumb, his face showing blanched and bloodless, while she utters a shriek, half terrified, half in frenzied anger. Reid, Mayne
• inscrutable difficult or impossible to understand The fashion industry is notoriously opaque and often inscrutable for outsiders, even ones as well connected as him. Seattle Times (Oct 1, 2011)
• tenacious stubbornly unyielding She was a tenacious woman, one who would even hold fast a thing which she no longer valued, simply because it belonged to her. Morris, Clara
• thrall the state of being under the control of another person Then Kiss commenced in earnest, and quickly held his audience in thrall . Farjeon, Benjamin Leopold
• exigency a pressing or urgent situation The exigency of the situation roused Mr. Popkiss' sluggish faculties into prompt action. Magnay, William
• disconsolate sad beyond comforting; incapable of being soothed Was there a bereaved mother or disconsolate sister weeping over their dead? Steward, T. G. (Theophilus Gould)
• impetus a force that makes something happen Critics say it has known mixed success at best, although supporters hope the U.S. drawdown could provide just the impetus it needs to thrive.
• imposition an uncalled-for burden On that far-away day he had considered the little, lost girl a nuisance and an imposition . Chisholm, A. M. (Arthur Murray)
• auspices kindly endorsement and guidance In March 2009, negotiations between Israel and Hamas were held in Cairo, under the auspices of the Egyptian intelligence agency. New York Times (Nov 9, 2011)
• sonorous full and loud and deep His voice rang out firmly now, a deep and sonorous bass. Bedford-Jones, H.
• exploitation an act that victimizes someone In a scathing report released last year, Amnesty International found there was widespread exploitation of migrants in Malaysia.
• bane something causing misery or death Knee pain is the bane of many runners, sometimes causing them to give up altogether. Seattle Times (Jun 7, 2010)
• dint force or effort If only certain puzzles could be solved by dint of sheer hard thinking! Marsh, Richard
• ignominious deserving or bringing disgrace or shame The great Ottawa chief saw his partially accomplished scheme withering into ignominious failure. Rudd, John
• amicable characterized by friendship and good will After a short colloquy the two men evidently came to an amicable understanding, for they shook hands. Kraszewski, Jo?zef Ignacy
• onset the beginning or early stages Thousands of families are living in makeshift camps as temperatures fall to freezing with the onset of winter. New York Times (Nov 10, 2011)
• conservatory a schoolhouse with special facilities for fine arts The young instrumental talent that is coming out of local music schools and conservatories is as amazingly good as you are going to find anywhere.
• zenith the highest point of something In other words it never reaches the zenith , a point directly overhead. George H. Lowery.
• voluble marked by a ready flow of speech I find him charming: shy – yet easy to talk to – voluble and funny once he gets going.
• yeoman a free man who cultivates his own land On one extreme was the well-to-do yeoman farmer farming his own land. Reilly, S. A.
• levity a manner lacking seriousness The same balance of seriousness and levity runs through her plays, which put an absurdist spin on everyday problems. New York Times (May 7, 2010)
• rapt feeling great delight and interest She was watching the development of the investigation with rapt , eager attention. Mitford, Bertram
• sultry characterized by oppressive heat and humidity New guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics arrive just as school sports ramp up in sultry August temperatures. Washington Post (Aug 9, 2011)
• pinion restrain or bind The prisoners having dismounted, were placed in a line on the ground facing the guillotine, their arms pinioned . Various
• axiom a proposition that is not susceptible of proof or disproof The fundamental axiom of scientific thought is that there is not, never has been, and never will be, any disorder in nature. Huxley, Thomas H.
• descry catch sight of Looking off seaward, I could descry no sails. Drake, Samuel Adams
• retinue the group following and attending to some important person Despite his retinue of security personnel, Atambaev had been poisoned during his short tenure as prime minister.
• functionary a worker who holds or is invested with an office He was the functionary of the assize court, impaneling its juries, bringing accused men before it, and carrying out its penalties. Reilly, S. A.
• imbibe take in liquids "We're cornered at last," he said suddenly, as the old man set the bottle down after having imbibed the best half of its contents. Douglas, Hudson
• diversified having variety of character or form or components Funds in both categories tend to be highly diversified , typically with 100 or more stocks across at least 10 industries. Wall Street Journal (Feb 24, 2012)
• maraud raid and rove in search of plunder Its reporter says armed gangs and looters are marauding the streets.
• grudging petty or reluctant in giving or spending Expect delays, scattered outages and surly, grudging customer service in the interim.
• partiality a predisposition to like something She still showed a partiality for bright colors, by her gown of deep crimson. Sage, William
• philology the humanistic study of language and literature I had determined to study philology , chiefly Greek and Latin, but the fare spread out by the professors was much too tempting. Müller, F. Max (Friedrich Max)
• wry humorously sarcastic or mocking She also has a very understated but very wry sense of humour; watch out for it.
• caucus meet to select a candidate or promote a policy Representative Ron Paul of Texas isn’t campaigning in Florida, instead focusing on Maine, which will caucus in late February.
• permeate spread or diffuse through Florida’s summertime heat permeates almost every scene, becoming something like a character. New York Times (Mar 13, 2012)
• propitious presenting favorable circumstances With the Athens stock market down nearly 30 percent so far this year, it would not seem a propitious time for initial public offerings. New York Times (Jun 2, 2010)
• salient conspicuous, prominent, or important Bullying has become an increasingly salient problem for school-age children, and in rare cases has ended tragically with victims committing suicide.
• propitiate make peace with King Edward, having subdued the Welsh, “endeavoured to propitiate his newly acquired subjects by becoming a resident in the conquered country. Frith, William Powell
• excise remove by cutting Wielding a razor, Jefferson excised all passages containing supernaturalistic elements from the gospels, extracting what he took to be Jesus's pure ethical teachings.
• betoken be a signal for or a symptom of The haggard face and sombre eyes betokened considerable mental anguish. Young, F.E. Mills
• palatable acceptable to the taste or mind If nicely cooked in this way, cabbage is as palatable and as digestible as cauliflower. Ronald, Mary
• upbraid express criticism towards When Kahn warned of a serious economic "depression", he was upbraided by the White House for using such language.
• renegade someone who rebels and becomes an outlaw If he went off to another people he lost all standing among the Sioux and was thereafter treated as an outlaw and a renegade . Robinson, Doane
• hoary ancient The device of the trapped young person saved by books is a hoary one, but Ms. Winterson makes it seem new, and sulfurous. New York Times (Mar 8, 2012)
• pedantic marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning The reader is treated to pedantic little footnotes, and given a good deal of information which is either gratuitous or uninteresting. Hay, Ian
• coy showing marked and often playful evasiveness or reluctance It was funny watching such a solid person, based in faith and education, grow a trifle coy about the year of his birth. New York Times (Jul 11, 2010)
• troth a solemn pledge of fidelity She had pledged to him her troth , and she would not attempt to go back from her pledge at the first appearance of a difficulty. Trollope, Anthony
• encroachment entry to another's property without right or permission The move may mark yet another attempt by France to rein in what it sees as the encroachment of online services on the country's culture. BusinessWeek (Jan 8, 2010)
• belie be in contradiction with "It is a fine morning," he said, taken aback by my sudden movement, but affecting an indifference which the sparkle in his eye belied . Weyman, Stanley John
• armada a large fleet An armada of three hundred ships manned by eighteen thousand marines assembled in the bay on their way to the conquest of Algiers. Douglas, Frances
• succor assistance in time of difficulty Given his health woes, succession worries and persistent isolation, Mr. Kim may simply be seeking succor from what may be his last friend on earth. New York Times (May 5, 2010)
• imperturbable marked by extreme calm and composure Ordinarily imperturbable , even in the face of unexpected situations, he was now visibly agitated. Griggs, Sutton E. (Sutton Elbert)
• irresolute uncertain how to act or proceed I stood for a moment before I entered on my arduous undertaking, irresolute and hesitating, swayed by two conflicting impulses. Waugh, Joseph Laing
• knack a special way of doing something He had a special knack of hunting out farm houses, engaging madame in conversation, and coming away with bread, eggs, or cheese in his knapsack. Price, Lucien
• unseemly not in keeping with accepted standards of what is proper The square mile's upbeat mood may strike some as unseemly at a time of national gloom.
• accentuate stress or single out as important This sparkling marvel lies modestly nestled among the law courts, whose plainer modern buildings serve but to accentuate its wonderful beauty. Sherrill, Charles Hitchcock
• divulge make known to the public information previously kept secret She hectors her children not to divulge personal information like phone numbers online. Seattle Times (Nov 15, 2011)
• brawn the trait of possessing muscular strength He believes Hollywood has often have had an over-reliance on physical brawn as the deciding factor for portraying a strong man.
• burnish polish and make shiny Great cleanliness is enforced in all that belongs to a lighthouse, the reflectors and lenses being constantly burnished , polished, and cleansed. Whymper, Frederick
• palpitate beat rapidly After supper my heart started racing, palpitating like a tick. Isaacson, Lauren Ann
• promiscuous not selective of a single class or person A promiscuous assembly had gathered there—men of all creeds and opinions—and an "open-air" meeting was in progress. Whitney, Orson F.
• dissemble make believe with the intent to deceive Pictures have always dissembled – there are millions of snaps of miserable families grinning bravely – but now they directly lie.
• flotilla a fleet of small craft She was guarded by a flotilla of boats equipped with satellites, Global Positioning System devices, advanced navigation systems and shark shields. New York Times (Aug 11, 2011)
• invective abusive language used to express blame or censure There's much more name-calling, shouting and personal invective in American life than anywhere I've ever traveled outside the United States. Washington Post (Jan 15, 2011)
• hermitage the abode of a recluse All the rest of their time is passed in solitude in their hermitages , which are built quite separate from one another. Various
• despoil destroy and strip of its possession Wherever his lordship's army went, plantations were despoiled , and private houses plundered. Campbell, Charles
• sully make dirty or spotty Why sully the reputation of an otherwise fascinating online community with really deeply questionable, troubling content? Forbes (Feb 13, 2012)
• malevolent having or exerting a malignant influence So you don’t believe in evil, as an actual malevolent force? New York Times (Oct 28, 2011)
• irksome tedious or irritating It was pretty irksome passing the time in his enforced prison, and finally Andy went to sleep. Webster, Frank V.
• prattle speak about unimportant matters rapidly and incessantly She prattled on about the gossip of the town until Penny and her father were thoroughly bored. Clark, Joan
• subaltern inferior in rank or status The careful commanding officer of a regiment discourages his young subalterns from taking leave to Hill Stations. Casserly, Gordon
• welt a raised mark on the skin But red, itchy welts typically appear within 24 to 48 hours of being bitten.
• wreak cause to happen or to occur as a consequence The burden of paying for college is wreaking havoc on the finances of an unexpected demographic: senior citizens. Washington Post (Apr 1, 2012)
• tenable based on sound reasoning or evidence First, it is no longer really tenable – and in fact a bit disrespectful – to call a country like China an emerging economy.
• inimitable matchless Leave aside Spain, where Barcelona breeds its own, inimitable style, and the answer might be that we are rushing toward uniformity. New York Times (Sep 26, 2010)
• depredation a destructive action Wild elephants abound and commit many depredations , entering villages in large herds, and consuming everything suitable to their tastes. Various
• amalgamate bring or combine together or with something else Where two weak tribes amalgamated into one, there it exceptionally happened that two closely related dialects were simultaneously spoken in the same tribe. Engels, Friedrich
• immutable not subject or susceptible to change or variation We are mistaken to imagine a work of literature is or should be immutable , sculpted in marble and similarly impervious to change.
• proxy a person authorized to act for another Ideally, everybody over 18 should execute a living will and select a health care proxy — someone to represent you in medical matters. New York Times (Jan 17, 2011)
• dote shower with love; show excessive affection for He doted on him, just dearly loved him, and thought he could do no wrong,” Kredell said. Washington Post (Oct 17, 2011)
• reactionary extremely conservative or resistant to change Old people are often accused of being too conservative, and even reactionary . Chinard, Gilbert
• rationalism the doctrine that reason is the basis for regulating conduct Offering a religious rationale for policy goals threatens what for many has become the cherished principle of secular rationalism in public life.
• endue give qualities or abilities to To say the least of it, he was endued with sufficient intelligence to acquire an ordinary knowledge of such matters. Various
• discriminating showing or indicating careful judgment and discernment Jobs’ Apple specializes in delighting the most discriminating , hard-to-please customers. Forbes (Oct 12, 2011)
• brooch a decorative pin Upon her breast she wore a brooch of gold set with many precious stones. Butler, Pierce
• pert characterized by a lightly saucy or impudent quality Her pert , lively manner said she hadn't taken any wooden nickels lately. Schoenherr, John
• disembark exit from a ship, vehicle, or aircraft The immigrants disembarked from their ships tired and underfed—generally in poor health. Hughes, Thomas Proctor
• aria an elaborate song for solo voice Ms. Netrebko sang an elegantly sad aria with lustrous warmth, aching vulnerability and floating high notes. New York Times (Sep 27, 2011)
• trappings ornaments; embellishments to or characteristic signs of They were caparisoned in Indian fashion with gay colors and fancy trappings . Roy, Lillian Elizabeth
• abet assist or encourage, usually in some wrongdoing "Since YouTube, digital culture has aided and enhanced -- or maybe the better word is abetted -- the celebrity meltdown," said Wired magazine senior editor Nancy Miller.
• clandestine conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods For Jordan, this is a clandestine relationship it would much prefer to have kept secret. BBC (Jan 5, 2010)
• distend swell from or as if from internal pressure Some kids said LaNiyah's distended abdomen looked like she was carrying a baby. Seattle Times (Apr 7, 2011)
• glib having only superficial plausibility The other sort of engineer understands that glib comparisons between computers and humans don't do justice to the complexities of either.
• pucker gather something into small wrinkles or folds Godmother,' she went on, puckering her forehead again in perplexity, 'it almost feels like feathers. Molesworth, Mrs. (Mary Louisa)
• rejoinder a quick reply to a question or remark "Not at all!" was Aunt Susannah's brisk rejoinder . Various
• spangle adornment consisting of a small piece of shiny material Magdalen's garments are rich with spangles ; her mantle is scarlet; she has flowers in her luxuriant tresses, and looks a vain creature. O'Shea, John Augustus
• blighted affected by something that prevents growth or prosperity Hudec, whose career has been blighted by knee injuries and operations, won for the first time in more than four years. New York Times (Feb 4, 2012)
• nicety conformity with some standard of correctness or propriety They accepted the invitation; but Mrs. Rowlandson did not appreciate the niceties of Indian etiquette. Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot)
• aggrieve infringe on the rights of Some fallout appears evident in donations from Wall Street executives, who feel particularly aggrieved by Mr. Obama’s criticisms and policies. New York Times (Feb 20, 2012)
• vestment a gown worn by the clergy And then a priest, arrayed in all his vestments , came in at the open door, and the prince and princess exchanged rings, and were married. Glinski, A. J.
• urbane showing a high degree of refinement Polished, urbane and gentlemanly—his manners were calculated to refine all around him. Judson, L. Carroll
• defray bear the expenses of The legislation also calls for $1.6 billion in spending cuts to help defray the disaster costs. Washington Post (Sep 26, 2011)
• spectral resembling or characteristic of a phantom Hawthorne’s figures are somewhat spectral ; they lack flesh and blood. Merwin, Henry Childs
• munificent very generous They have shown themselves very loving and generous lately, in making a quite munificent provision for his traveling. Carlyle, Thomas
• dictum an authoritative declaration In other words, they seemed fully subscribed to Andy Warhol’s dictum that business art is the best art. New York Times (Dec 10, 2011)
• fad an interest followed with exaggerated zeal According to Chinese media, the hottest new fad in China involves selling small live-animal key chains. Time (Apr 5, 2011)
• scabbard a sheath for a sword or dagger or bayonet Drawing his own sabre from its scabbard , he pointed to a stain on it, saying, "This is the blood of an Englishman." Reed, Helen Leah
• adulterate make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance Shady dealers along the supply chain frequently adulterate olive oil with low-grade vegetable oils and add artificial coloring. New York Times (Dec 7, 2011)
• beleaguer annoy persistently Rock concert ticket sales dropped sharply last year, sounding another sour note for the beleaguered music industry.
• gripe complain If America is going to gripe about the yuan’s rate, then China will complain about the dollar’s role.
• remission an abatement in intensity or degree After a few hours there is a remission of the pain, slight perspiration takes place, and the patient may fall asleep. Various
• exorbitant greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation Soon, stories began trickling across the Atlantic of crazed fans paying exorbitant sums to get into London gigs. Slate (Oct 10, 2011)
• invocation the act of appealing for help These dances are prayers or invocations for rain, the crowning blessing in this dry land. Roosevelt, Theodore
• cajole influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering Hamilton, however, was not to be cajoled into friendliness by superficial compliment. Fisher, Harrison
• inclusive encompassing much or everything We are going to adhere to our basic programing strategy of nonpartisan information inclusive of all different points of view.
• interdict command against Failing to satisfy his examiners, he was interdicted from practice, but ignored the prohibition, and suffered more than one imprisonment in consequence. Worley, George
• abase cause to feel shame Ashamed, abased , degraded in his own eyes, he turned away his head. Caine, Hall, Sir
• obviate do away with Comfortable sleeping-cars obviate the necessity of stopping by the way for bodily rest, provided the traveller be physically strong and in good health. Ballou, Maturin Murray
• hurtle move with or as if with a rushing sound The hurricane was expected to hit Washington in the early hours of Sunday before hurtling toward New York City.
• unanimity everyone being of one mind On all other points of colonial policy, Mackenzie declared, people would be found to differ, but as regards the post office there was absolute unanimity . Smith, William, Sir
• mettle the courage to carry on The deployment will also test the emotional mettle of soldiers and their families. New York Times (Jun 26, 2010)
• interpolate insert words into texts, often falsifying it thereby Most scholars agree that these lines are interpolated , since they do not fit in with the rest of the poem. Various
• surreptitious marked by quiet and caution and secrecy He noticed that the peddler was eying the bag Scotty had picked up, and was trying to be surreptitious about it. Goodwin, Harold L. (Harold Leland)
• dissimulate hide feelings from other people From infancy these people have been schooled to dissimulate and hide emotion, and ordinarily their faces are as opaque as those of veteran poker players. Kephart, Horace
• ruse a deceptive maneuver, especially to avoid capture Overseas criminals use elaborate ruses , including phony websites, to trick job-seekers into helping transfer stolen funds. BusinessWeek (Aug 4, 2011)
• specious plausible but false You might be tempted to think of the biggest airline as the one with the most aircraft, but capacity differences make this reasoning specious .
• revulsion intense aversion After a first instinctive cry of horrified revulsion , the men reached down under water with their hands and drew out—a corpse. Livingston, Arthur
• hale exhibiting or restored to vigorous good health From a hearty, hale , corn-fed boy, he has become pale, lean, and wan. Adams, Abigail
• palliate lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of Divisions and inequalities persist, but government can palliate their effects with hard cash.
• obtuse lacking in insight or discernment The affair had been mentioned so plainly that it was impossible for the most dense and obtuse person not to have understood the allusion. Brazil, Angela
• querulous habitually complaining He was, at times, as querulous as a complaining old man. Williams, Ben Ames
• vagary an unexpected and inexplicable change in something Today such acquisitions are more likely to stay put, destined to survive both market fluctuations and the vagaries of style. New York Times (Sep 29, 2010)
• incipient only partly in existence; imperfectly formed Above all, medical teams will need to establish quick surveillance to identify health needs and pinpoint incipient outbreaks before they explode. Time (Jan 13, 2010)
• obdurate stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing Several appeared deeply affected, with tears of repentance standing in their eyes, others sullen and obdurate . Huth, Alexander
• grovel show submission or fear The two young men who drove them had fallen flat and were grovelling and wailing for mercy. Mitford, Bertram
• refractory stubbornly resistant to authority or control Beyond them the gardener struggled with a refractory horse that refused to draw his load of brush and dead leaves. Bacon, Josephine Dodge Daskam
• dregs sediment that has settled at the bottom of a liquid "Right got to go," Ali says, draining the dregs of his beer.
• ascendancy the state when one person or group has power over another But in a few days he had secured an almost incredible ascendancy over the sullen, starved, half-clothed army. Various
• supercilious having or showing arrogant superiority A supercilious , patronizing person—son of a wretched country parson—used to loll against the wall of your salon—with his nose in the air. Pinero, Arthur Wing, Sir
• pundit someone who has been admitted to membership in a field Pundits of agricultural science explore the sheds, I believe, the barns, stables, machine-rooms, and so forth, before inspecting the crops. Boyle, Frederick
• commiserate feel or express sympathy or compassion We had spent countless hours together drinking wine and commiserating about child-rearing, long Wisconsin winters and interrupted sleep. New York Times (Mar 24, 2011)
• alcove a small recess opening off a large room or garden They showed him where he would sleep, in a little closet-like alcove screened from the big room by a gay curtain. Wilson, Harry Leon
• assay make an effort or attempt He decided to assay one last project before giving up. New York Times (Mar 30, 2012)
• parochial narrowly restricted in outlook or scope But Republicans in Pennsylvania also have narrower and more parochial things to worry about. New York Times (Sep 17, 2011)
• conjugal relating to the relationship between a wife and husband They even had conjugal visits for prisoners — five hours in a private room every three months with your wife. New York Times (Nov 23, 2010)
• abjure formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief The caste abstain from liquor, and some of them have abjured all flesh food while others partake of it. Russell, R. V. (Robert Vane)
• frieze an ornament consisting of a horizontal sculptured band All the doorways mentioned above have cornices, and in those at Palmyra and Baalbec richly carved friezes with side corbels. Various
• ornate marked by complexity and richness of detail Unlike his literary icon, Herman Melville, he doesn’t adorn his writing with ornate flourishes or complicated scaffolding. Scientific American (Dec 20, 2011)
• inflammatory inciting action or rebellion We don't know whether inflammatory language or images can incite the mentally ill to commit acts of violence. Time (Jan 13, 2011)
• machination a crafty and involved plot to achieve your ends He was continued a member of Congress until 1777 when his enemies succeeded in their long nursed machinations against him. Judson, L. Carroll
• mendicant a pauper who lives by begging In others are the broken-down mendicants who live on soup-kitchens and begging.  Ritchie, J. Ewing (James Ewing)
• meander move or cause to move in a winding or curving course They paused beside one of the low stone walls that meandered in a meaningless fashion this way and that over the uplands. Vance, Louis Joseph
• bullion gold or silver in bars or ingots In times of economic turmoil, more people tend to invest in bullion gold. Washington Post (Mar 30, 2012)
• diffidence lack of self-assurance His grave diffidence and continued hesitation in offering an opinion confirmed me in my own. Froude, James Anthony
• makeshift done or made using whatever is available The house was still under construction, so he climbed up a ladder being used as a makeshift stairway, fell and injured his leg. New York Times (Apr 12, 2012)
• husbandry the practice of cultivating the land or raising stock The U.S. can take a lesson from Denmark, which has efficiently raised livestock without hurting farmers, by using better animal husbandry practices. Scientific American (Mar 22, 2011)
• podium a platform raised above the surrounding level Leyva beamed as he stood atop the podium , nodding as the American flag was raised and “The Star-Spangled Banner” played in his honor. New York Times (Oct 22, 2011)
• dearth an insufficient quantity or number A continuing dearth of snow in many U.S. spots usually buried by this time of year has turned life upside down. Washington Post (Jan 5, 2012)
• granary a storehouse for threshed grain or animal feed Here is where he does his husking, and the "clear corn" produced is stored away in some underground granary till It is needed. Seton, Ernest Thompson
• whet make keen or more acute While he described the fishing as “pretty good,” the silver salmon running in the creek only whetted his appetite to return to Alaska. Washington Post (Aug 17, 2011)
• imposture pretending to be another person He got somebody to prosecute him for false pretences and imposture , on the ground that Madame was a man.  Leland, Charles Godfrey
• diadem an ornamental jeweled headdress signifying sovereignty I dethrone monarchs and the people rejoicing crown me instead, showering diadems upon my head. Tilney, Frederick Colin
• fallow undeveloped but potentially useful Several new prostate cancer drugs have been approved in the last couple of years, after a long fallow period, and others are in advanced development. New York Times (Nov 3, 2011)
• hubbub loud confused noise from many sources There was some good-humoured pushing and thrusting, the drum beating and the church bells jangling bravely above the hubbub . Weyman, Stanley J.
• dispassionate unaffected by strong emotion or prejudice The commission sitting by, judicial, dispassionate , presided with cold dignity over the sacrifice, and pronounced it good. Candee, Helen Churchill Hungerford, Mrs.
• harrowing causing extreme distress Belgium found itself in turmoil as hundreds of people came forward to offer harrowing accounts of abuse over several decades. New York Times (Jan 16, 2012)
• askance with suspicion or disapproval A secret marriage in these days would be looked upon askance by most people. Wood, Mrs. Henry
• lancet a surgical knife with a pointed double-edged blade His left arm was held by the second physician, while the chief surgeon bent over it, lancet in hand. Hay, Marie, Hon. (Agnes Blanche Marie)
• rankle make resentful or angry He was feeling more like himself now, though the memory of the bully’s sneering words rankled . Chadwick, Lester
• ramify have or develop complicating consequences Cometary science has ramified in unexpected ways during the last hundred years. Various
• gainsay take exception to That Whitman entertained a genuine affection for men and women is, of course, too obvious to be gainsaid .  Rickett, Arthur
• polity a governmentally organized unit China needs a polity that can address its increasingly sophisticated society, and to achieve that there must be political reform, Mr. Sun said. New York Times (Mar 21, 2012)
• credence the mental attitude that something is believable "Well-known brand names that promote new products receive more credence than newcomers that people don't know about."
• indemnify make amends for; pay compensation for She put her affairs in order and left instructions that those whom she had unwittingly wronged should be indemnified out of her private fortune. Butler, Pierce
• ingratiate gain favor with somebody by deliberate efforts He became kindly and coaxing, leaning across the table with an ingratiating smile. King, Basil
• declivity a downward slope or bend In this frightful condition, the hunter grappled with the raging beast, and, struggling for life, they rolled together down a steep declivity . Goodrich, Samuel G. (Samuel Griswold)
• importunate making persistent or urgent requests The young man was then passionately importunate in the protestations of his love. Barr, Amelia Edith Huddleston
• passe out of fashion My friend is very keen on the new crowd; everything else he declares is " passe ." Holliday, Robert Cortes
• whittle cut small bits or pare shavings from Tad followed, whittling on a stick with his knife and kicking at the shavings as they fell. Kjelgaard, James Arthur
• repine express discontent Those poor fellows above, accustomed to the wild freshness and freedom of the sea, how they must mourn and repine ! O'Shea, John Augustus
• flay strip the skin off Once at the moose and hastily flaying the hide from the steaming meat my attention became centered on the task. Sinclair, Bertrand W.
• larder a small storeroom for storing foods or wines Mr. Goncalves’s larder holds staples like beefsteak, salt cod, sardines, olives, artichokes, hot and sweet peppers and plenty of garlic. New York Times (Feb 18, 2011)
• threadbare thin and tattered with age They were all poor folk, wrapped in threadbare cloaks or tattered leather. Brackett, Leigh Douglass
• grisly shockingly repellent; inspiring horror Television video showed a heavily damaged building and a grisly scene inside, with clothing and prayer mats scattered across a blood-splattered floor. New York Times (Aug 19, 2011)
• untoward not in keeping with accepted standards of what is proper Responding to criticism that cash payments are a classic means of tax evasion, he said he had done nothing untoward . New York Times (Aug 2, 2011)
• idiosyncrasy a behavioral attribute peculiar to an individual One of his well-known idiosyncrasies was that he would never allow himself to be photographed. Le Queux, William
• quip make jokes or witty remarks "I could have joined the FBI in a shorter period of time and with less documentation than it took to get that mortgage," she quipped .
• blatant without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious There was no blatant display of wealth, and every article of furniture bore signs of long though careful use. Bull, Charles Livingston
• stanch stop the flow of a liquid She did not attempt to stanch her tears, but sat looking at him with a smiling mouth, while the heavy drops fell down her cheeks. Stockley, Cynthia
• incongruity the quality of disagreeing Hanging out wet clothes and an American flag at the North Pole seemed an amusing incongruity . Cook, Frederick A.
• perfidious tending to betray The perfidious Italian at length confessed that it was his intention to murder his master, and then rob the house. Billinghurst, Percy J.
• platitude a trite or obvious remark But details are fuzzy and rebel leaders often resort to platitudes when dismissing suggestions of discord, saying simply that "Libya is one tribe." Wall Street Journal (Jun 20, 2011)
• revelry unrestrained merrymaking But all this revelry — dancing, drinks, exuberant youth — can be hard to manage. New York Times (Jun 3, 2010)
• delve turn up, loosen, or remove earth So she did what any reporter would do: she delved into the scientific literature and talked to investigators. New York Times (Dec 27, 2010)
• extenuate lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or degree of Prosecutors often spend time weighing mitigating and extenuating circumstances before deciding to seek the death penalty. Washington Post (Oct 15, 2011)
• polemic a verbal or written attack, especially of a belief or dogma Would it be a polemic that denounced Western imperialism for using cinema to undermine emerging nations like Kazakhstan? New York Times (Oct 4, 2010)
• enrapture hold spellbound I was delighted, enraptured , beside myself--the world had disappeared in an instant. Spielhagen, Friedrich
• virtuoso someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field Each of the seven instrumentalists was a virtuoso in his own right and had ample opportunity to prove it, often in long, soulful solos. New York Times (May 3, 2010)
• glower look angry or sullen as if to signal disapproval A moment later he would collapse, sit glowering in his chair, looking angrily at the carpet. Hecht, Ben
• mundane found in the ordinary course of events Now, it would seem, that the Chinese are getting back to their everyday concerns, paying attention to events more mundane and less cataclysmic. New York Times (Mar 20, 2012)
• fatuous devoid of intelligence They're too stupid, for one thing; they go on burning houses and breaking windows in their old fatuous way. McKenna, Stephen
• incorrigible impervious to correction by punishment She scolded and lectured her sister in vain; Cynthia was incorrigible . Various
• postulate maintain or assert In fact, when Einstein formulated his cosmological vision, based on his theory of gravitation, he postulated that the universe was finite. Scientific American (Jul 26, 2011)
• gist the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work The syntax was a little off, even comical at times, but I got the gist of what was going on. Time (May 6, 2010)
• vociferous conspicuously and offensively loud The complaints grew so loud and vociferous that even President Obama was forced to address the backlash from Lisbon on Saturday. New York Times (Nov 23, 2010)
• purvey supply with provisions And we will agree also to purvey food for these horses and people during nine months. Villehardouin, Geoffroi de
• baleful deadly or sinister “But he is dead,” put in Fanning, wondering at the baleful expression of hatred that had come into the man’s face. Burnham, Margaret
• gibe laugh at with contempt and derision So much did their taunts prey upon him that he ran away from school to escape their gibes . Hubbard, Elbert
• dyspeptic irritable as if suffering from indigestion One may begin with heroic renunciations and end in undignified envy and dyspeptic comments outside the door one has slammed on one's self. Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)
• prude a person excessively concerned about propriety and decorum Criticising high-profile programmes about teenage sex education often means risking being written off as a prude .
• luminary a celebrity who is an inspiration to others Founded in 1947, the group's members have included such luminaries as Walt Disney, Spencer Tracy and another American president, Ronald Reagan. Seattle Times (Apr 11, 2011)
• amenable disposed or willing to comply He, Jean Boulot, being so amenable to sensible argument, would at once fall in with his views. Wingfield, Lewis
• willful habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition I crossed my arms like a willful child. New York Times (Aug 18, 2011)
• overbearing having or showing arrogant superiority "True; but——" "Just so," interrupted Mr. Fauntleroy, in his decisive and rather overbearing manner. Wood, Mrs. Henry
• dais a platform raised above the surrounding level The throne was elevated on a dais of silver steps. Tracy, Louis
• automate operate or make run by machines rather than human action And because leap seconds are needed irregularly their insertion cannot be automated , which means that fallible humans must insert them by hand.
• enervate weaken physically, mentally, or morally The reviewers have enervated men’s minds, and made them indolent; few think for themselves. Rossetti, William Michael
• wheedle influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering On one level, I expected incessant flattery in attempts to wheedle equipment or even money from American forces. New York Times (Aug 16, 2010)
• gusto vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment The audience, surprisingly large given the inclement weather, responded with gusto , applauding each song, including those within the Shostakovich cycle. New York Times (Mar 2, 2010)
• bouillon a clear seasoned broth The meat soups are called broths, bouillon , or consommé, according to their richness. Ronald, Mary
• omniscient knowing, seeing, or understanding everything Robbe-Grillet responds that his work is in fact far less objective than the godlike, omniscient narrator who presides over so many traditional novels.
• apostate not faithful to religion or party or cause They are atheist conservatives — Mr. Khan an apostate to his family’s Islamic faith, Ms. Mac Donald to her left-wing education. New York Times (Feb 18, 2011)
• carrion the dead and rotting body of an animal; unfit for human food Habitually his diet is not carnivorous, but he will eat at times either carrion or living flesh. Reid, Mayne
• emolument compensation received by virtue of holding an office As the TUC has pointed out, those incomes – except for senior executives, whose emoluments seem to know few bounds – are rising more slowly than prices.
• ungainly lacking grace in movement or posture Thomas looked up furtively and saw that an ungainly human figure with crooked legs was being led into the church. Gogol, Nikolai Vasilievich
• impiety unrighteousness by virtue of lacking respect for a god That, however, is unbelief, extreme impiety , and a denial of the most high God. Bente, F. (Friedrich)
• decadence the state of being degenerate in mental or moral qualities But there are people who really do not want to import what they regard as Western decadence , especially public drunkenness. BBC (Jun 11, 2011)
• homily a sermon on a moral or religious topic In his New Year's homily , the pope said "words were not enough" to bring about peace, particularly in the Middle East.
• avocation an auxiliary activity Unlike many retired doctors, whom he says often have no life outside their profession, he always knew sailing would become his avocation . Newsweek (Nov 17, 2010)
• circumvent avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing Mr. Bloomberg said he would take several steps to circumvent obstacles to his proposals posed by city labor unions. New York Times (Jan 12, 2012)
• syllogism reasoning in which a conclusion is derived from two premises The conclusions arrived at by means of syllogisms are irresistible, provided the form be correct and the premises be true. Webster, W. F. (William Franklin)
• collation assembling in proper numerical or logical sequence In the case of early printed books or manuscripts, which are often not paged, special knowledge is needed for their collation . Rooke, Noel
• haggle wrangle, as over a price or terms of an agreement Obama said while officials can haggle over the makeup of spending cuts, the policy issues have no place in the measure.
• waylay wait in hiding to attack Sir Samuel Clithering was not, of course, a member of it; but he lurked about outside and waylaid us as we went in. Birmingham, George A.
• savant a learned person Frank had studied something of almost everything and imagined himself a savant . Roussel, John
• cohort a group of people having approximately the same age The current cohort of college students is, as many have pointed out, the first truly digital generation. Washington Post (Dec 1, 2011)
• unction excessive but superficial compliments with affected charm "You couldn't ask too much of me," he returned, with no unction of flattery, but the cheerfully frank expression of an ingenuous heart. Ogden, George W. (George Washington)
• adjure command solemnly “I adjure thee,” she said, “swear to me that you will never go near those Christians again or read their books.” Pennell, T. L. (Theodore Leighton)
• acrimony a rough and bitter manner Relations with India have been slowly improving, although talks ended in acrimony last July with the two sides indulging in a public spat over Kashmir.
• clarion loud and clear “He has been the single, clarion voice for commuter rail in central Florida for 20 years,” said Mayor Ken Bradley of Winter Park. New York Times (Jun 27, 2011)
• turbid clouded as with sediment The thick turbid sea rolled in, casting up mire and dirt from its depths. Reynolds, Mrs. Baillie
• cupidity extreme greed for material wealth Well educated, but very corrupt at heart, he found in his insatiable cupidity many ways of gaining money. Kraszewski, Jozef Ignacy
• disaffected discontented as toward authority The financial crisis, largely caused by banker incompetence, has created legions of disaffected customers. Forbes (Sep 15, 2011)
• preternatural surpassing the ordinary or normal In fact, they regarded the Spaniards as superior beings endowed with preternatural gifts. Gilson, Jewett Castello
• eschew avoid and stay away from deliberately Morrissey is among those seniors who are eschewing nursing homes in favor of independent living. Washington Post (Mar 23, 2012)
• expatiate add details to clarify an idea He then expatiated on his own miseries, which he detailed at full length. Manzoni, Alessandro
• didactic instructive, especially excessively Let us have a book so full of good illustrations that didactic instruction shall not be needed. Various
• sinuous curved or curving in and out In origami parlance, Mr. Joisel was a wet-folder, dampening his paper so that he could coax it into sinuous curves. New York Times (Oct 20, 2010)
• rancor a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will The current session of Parliament has so far produced only rancor , as opposition parties have shut down proceedings with angry, theatrical protests against corruption. New York Times (Aug 14, 2011)
• puissant powerful The ship was not fighting now, but yielding—a complacent leviathan held captive by a most puissant and ruthless enemy. Tracy, Louis
• homespun characteristic of country life His rural, homespun demeanor ordinarily might elicit snickers from India’s urban elite. New York Times (Aug 18, 2011)
• embroil force into some kind of situation or course of action But Mr. Marbury, often embroiled in controversy during his N.B.A. days, seems to have found some measure of peace in China. New York Times (Apr 1, 2012)
• pathological caused by or evidencing a mentally disturbed condition "Fixated individuals" — mentally ill people with a pathological focus on someone, often a stranger — make up the first group.
• resonant characterized by a loud deep sound His eyes were piercing but sad, his voice grand and resonant , suiting well the wrathful, impassioned Calvinism of his sermons. Barr, Amelia Edith Huddleston
• libretto the words of an opera or musical play In many great operas, composers have had to whittle down an epic literary work into a suitable libretto . New York Times (Mar 6, 2010)
• flail thrash about Exercise is prescribed, but when she joins an aqua aerobics class, she flails embarrassingly. New York Times (Apr 12, 2012)
• bandy discuss lightly Hillary Clinton’s name has been bandied about, but she’s made it clear she’s not interested.
• gratis costing nothing "Would you admit them gratis ?" asked Mr. Castlemaine with a smile, "or would they have to pay, like ordinary residents in an hotel?" Hocking, Joseph
• upshot a phenomenon that is caused by some previous phenomenon The inevitable upshot of their growing social power was that brands wanted an expanded visual presence.
• aphorism a short pithy instructive saying General Sherman's famous aphorism that "War is Hell," has become classic. Fletcher, Samuel H.
• redoubtable worthy of respect or honor Captain Miles Standish was a redoubtable soldier, small in person, but of great activity and courage. Mann, Henry
• corpulent excessively large Obesity is very common, but chiefly among the women, who while still quite young often become enormously corpulent . D'Anvers, N.
• benighted lacking enlightenment or knowledge or culture I alone was magnificently and absurdly aware—everyone else was benightedly out of it. James, Henry
• sententious abounding in or given to pompous or aphoristic moralizing He is the village wise man; very sententious ; and full of profound remarks on shallow subjects. Irving, Washington
• cabal a clique that seeks power usually through intrigue Supposedly, see, there's this global cabal of scientists conspiring to bring about socialist one-world government.
• paraphernalia equipment consisting of miscellaneous articles It's outfitted with cricket bats and other antique sports paraphernalia . Seattle Times (Sep 27, 2011)
• vitiate make imperfect His talent in writing is vitiated by his affectation and other faults. Blair, Emma Helen
• adulation exaggerated flattery or praise And celebrities get all this adulation for something that is not about character, it's about talent.
• quaff swallow hurriedly or greedily or in one draught Meanwhile the officers under the tree had got served, and, cups in hand, were quaffing joyously. Reid, Mayne
• unassuming not arrogant Parr's conduct after his most heroic actions was thoroughly modest and unassuming . Greely, Adolphus W.
• libertine a dissolute person Still, Mr. Awlaki was neither among the most conservative Muslim students nor among the libertines who tossed aside religious restrictions on drinking and sex. New York Times (May 8, 2010)
• maul injure badly Hundreds of concert goers were mauled as they left by what The New York Times called “bands of roving youths.” New York Times (Aug 17, 2011)
• adage a condensed but memorable saying embodying an important fact So he focuses on the fans and embraces the adage , “Living well is the best revenge.” New York Times (Mar 25, 2011)
• expostulation the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest He even believed he saw visions with his own bodily eyes, and no expostulations of his friends could drive this belief out of his head. Hoffmann, E. T. A. (Ernst Theodor Amadeus)
• tawdry tastelessly showy It was a tawdry affair, all Cupids and cornucopias, like a third-rate wedding cake. Wilde, Oscar
• trite repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse The subject—a deathbed scene—might seem at first sight to be a trite and common one. Lancey, Magdalene de
• hireling a person who works only for money Why should I?—a mere police detective, who had been hired to do a service and paid for it like any other hireling . Hanshew, Thomas W.
• ensconce fix firmly Though she is firmly ensconced in a writing career, Ms. Freud, 48, said that in the early days she missed acting terribly. New York Times (Oct 30, 2011)
• egregious conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible “These offenses are very serious, even egregious ,” the judge said. Washington Post (Sep 12, 2011)
• cogent powerfully persuasive His thesis was too cogent , and appealed too powerfully to all classes of the Upper Canada community, to be anything but irresistible. Morison, J. L. (John Lyle)
• incisive demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions A half-hour of informed and incisive questioning by Mr. Russert would have demolished Mr. Trump. New York Times (May 1, 2011)
• errant straying from the right course or from accepted standards As the crowd voiced its displeasure, the referees made sure Wisconsin got the ball, but pass was errant and rolled out of bounds at midcourt. Seattle Times (Feb 28, 2012)
• sedulous marked by care and persistent effort Sedulous attention and painstaking industry always mark the true worker. Calhoon, Major A.R.
• incandescent characterized by ardent emotion, intensity, or brilliance Kirkwood's anger cooled apace; at worst it had been a flare of passion— incandescent . Vance, Louis Joseph
• derelict in deplorable condition Others are clustered under a tin awning by a derelict railway station or in similarly run-down school buildings.
• entomology the branch of zoology that studies insects From the department of entomology you expect to learn something about the troublesome insects, which are so universal an annoyance. Latham, A. W.
• execrable unequivocally detestable But minds were so overexcited at the time that the parties mutually accused each other, on all occasions, of the most execrable crimes. Imbert de Saint-Amand, Arthur Léon, baron
• sluice pour as if from a conduit that carries a rapid flow of water At 4:15 p.m., as the rain was sluicing off roofs in sheets, the firemen moved the trucks to higher ground. New York Times (Aug 31, 2011)
• moot of no legal significance, as having been previously decided The statement from Hermitage said even in the Soviet period no defendant had been tried after death, when charges were generally considered moot . New York Times (Feb 7, 2012)
• evanescent short-lived; tending to vanish or disappear Time seems stopped but it is moving on, and every glimmer of light is evanescent , flitting.
• vat a large open vessel for holding or storing liquids The cream remains in the large vat about twenty-four hours before it is churned. Chamberlain, James Franklin
• dapper marked by up-to-dateness in dress and manners Thoroughly dapper , he took off his black-and-white pinstriped suit jacket — with its pocket-square flair — and weaved in and out among them, his voice ever rising. New York Times (Jan 22, 2011)
• asperity harshness of manner All this proceeds from the old man, whose proper character it is to be angry and bitter, and to exhibit rancor and asperity . Arndt, Johann
• flair a natural talent In fact, while Lamarr qualified as an inventive genius for her artistic flair , she fell somewhat short on her scientific acumen. Slate (Nov 28, 2011)
• mote a tiny piece of anything He took his discharge out of his pocket, brushed every mote of dust from the table, and spread the document before their eyes. Auerbach, Berthold
• circumspect careful to consider potential consequences and avoid risk Obama administration officials argue that new regulations are forcing insurers to be more circumspect about raising rates. New York Times (Sep 27, 2011)
• inimical tending to obstruct or cause harm The Hindu idea is that so long as justice and equity characterise a king’s rule, even beasts naturally inimical are disposed to live in friendship. Kingscote, Mrs. Howard
• apropos of a suitable, fitting, or pertinent nature I found myself thinking vaguely about things that were not at all apropos to the situation. Stockley, Cynthia
• gruel a thin porridge He says, keep them on just two pints of Indian-meal gruel —by which he appears to mean thin hasty pudding—a day, and no more. Alcott, William A. (William Andrus)
• gentility elegance by virtue of fineness of manner and expression This was no rough bully of the seas; Carew's bearing and dandified apparel bespoke gentility . Springer, Norman
• disapprobation an expression of strong disapproval Mr Ruthven shook his head and declared that he regarded the conduct of her persecutors with grave moral disapprobation . Wheeler, E.J.
• cameo engraving or carving in low relief on a stone The trinket was a small round cameo cut out of mother-of-pearl and set in gold; it represented St. George and the dragon. J?kai, M?r
• gouge swindle; obtain by coercion Shortages also have raised concerns about higher prices and gouging by wholesale drug companies that obtain supplies of hard-to-get drugs and jack up the costs. Seattle Times (Jan 20, 2012)
• oratorio a musical composition for voices and orchestra Mendelssohn had no sooner completed his first oratorio , "St. Paul," than he began to think about setting another Bible story to music. Edwards, Frederick George
• inclement severe, of weather Be prepared for inclement weather and possible ice and snow on park roads. Seattle Times (Oct 16, 2011)
• scintilla a tiny or scarcely detectable amount Gardner "never expressed one scintilla of remorse for his attack upon the victim" despite overwhelming evidence, prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memo.
• confluence a flowing together And indeed, before the 13th century, there was an extraordinary confluence of genius and innovation, particularly around Baghdad. New York Times (Dec 28, 2010)
• squalor sordid dirtiness What can be expected of human beings, crowded in such miserable habitations, living in filth and squalor , and often pinched with hunger? Field, Henry M. (Henry Martyn)
• stricture severe criticism While gratefully accepting the generous praises of our friends, we must briefly reply to some strictures by our critics. Stanton, Elizabeth Cady
• emblazon decorate with heraldic arms His coat of arms was emblazoned on the cover. Mason, A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley)
• augury an event indicating important things to come This is always an encouraging sign, and an augury of success. Alger, Horatio
• abut lie adjacent to another or share a boundary It depicts a mountain landscape near Kingston, a historic town abutting the Hudson River. New York Times (Jan 8, 2010)
• banal repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse Highly dramatic incidents are juxtaposed with comparatively banal ones; particular attention is given to tales of doomed love affairs. New York Times (Dec 4, 2011)
• congeal solidify, thicken, or come together Boil down the syrup to half its original quantity, but take care that it does not boil long enough to congeal or become thick. Baru?, Sulpice
• pilfer make off with belongings of others Many young people scavenge for reusable garbage, living on proceeds from pilfered construction material and other recyclables. Seattle Times (Feb 8, 2012)
• malcontent a person who is unsatisfied or disgusted Now, unfortunately, some malcontents among the hands here have spread their ideas, and a strike has been called. Maitland, Robert
• sublimate direct energy or urges into useful activities They might instead have passionate friendships, or sublimate their urges into other pursuits. New York Times (Jun 4, 2010)
• eugenic causing improvement in the offspring produced Eugenics was aimed at creating a better society by filtering out people considered undesirable, ranging from criminals to those imprecisely designated as “feeble-minded.” Washington Post (Aug 1, 2011)
• lineament the characteristic parts of a person's face The tears stood in Muriel's eyes, and her face was very pale, but serenity marked every lineament . Davidson, John
• firebrand someone who deliberately foments trouble But Hassan is not some teenage firebrand hurling rocks; he’s a slight, graying scholar committed to peace. New York Times (Jun 9, 2011)
• fiasco a complete failure or collapse The Stuttgart protests became a national fiasco in late September, when protesters clashed with police wielding batons and water cannons. Newsweek (Dec 14, 2010)
• foolhardy marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences Many mistakes—extravagant purchases, foolhardy investments—are made in the first months after a windfall. Wall Street Journal (Feb 24, 2012)
• retrench tighten one's belt; use resources carefully But there was only one way open to me at present—and that was to retrench my expenses. Caine, Hall, Sir
• ulterior lying beyond what is openly revealed or avowed Shop window displays may help prettify shopping thoroughfares, but any savvy retailer has the ulterior motive of self promotion. BBC (Feb 3, 2010)
• equable not varying His must have been that calm, equable temperament not easily ruffled, which goes with the self-respecting nature. Hurll, Estelle M. (Estelle May)
• inured made tough by habitual exposure But he had become inured to the rush and whirr of missiles, and now paid no heed whatever to them. Mitford, Bertram
• invidious containing or implying a slight or showing prejudice "After an old-fashioned, all-round team performance … it might seem invidious to single out one player," admits the paper before singling out one player.
• unmitigated not diminished or moderated in intensity or severity In order to be well directed, sympathy must consider all men, and not the individual alone; only then is it an unmitigated good. Williams, C. M.
• concomitant an event or situation that happens at the same time The conclusion must be drawn that every epidemic of bubonic plague is caused by the concomitant rat plague. Scientific American (Jan 21, 2011)
• cozen cheat or trick Dicing-houses, where cheaters meet, and cozen young men out of their money. Various
• phlegmatic showing little emotion Humanity, when surfeited with emotion, becomes calm, almost phlegmatic . Tracy, Louis
• dormer a gabled extension built out from a sloping roof Other features, such as the front French doors and two roof dormers with curved-top windows and operable shutters, give this home a pleasing, well-balanced presence. Southern Living (Apr 14, 2010)
• pontifical denoting or governed by or relating to a bishop or bishops The high priest made no resistance, but went forth in his pontifical robes, followed by the people in white garments, to meet the mighty warrior. Lord, John
• disport occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion Straightway the glade in which they sat was filled with knights, ladies, maidens, and esquires, who danced and disported themselves right joyously. Spence, Lewis
• apologist a person who argues to defend some policy or institution Tories, and apologists for Great Britain, have written much about a justification for this action, but there is no real justification. Barce, Elmore
• abeyance temporary cessation or suspension My feelings of home-sickness had returned with redoubled strength after being long in abeyance . Boldrewood, Rolf
• enclave an enclosed territory that is culturally distinct And its suburban schools, rather than being exclusive enclaves , include children whose parents can't afford a house in the neighborhood. Washington Post (Jan 11, 2011)
• improvident not supplying something useful for the future He was industrious but improvident ; he made money and he lost it. Hubbard, Elbert
• disquisition an elaborate analytical or explanatory essay or discussion Cumulatively, what emerges from To Kill a Mockingbird is a thoughtful disquisition that encompasses – and goes beyond – the question of racial bias at its worst.
• categorical not modified or restricted by reservations "European leaders were united, categorical and crystal clear: Gaddafi must go," British Prime Minister David Cameron said.
• placate cause to be more favorably inclined The East India Company was placated by the concession of further exemptions in its favour. Smith, A. D.
• redolent serving to bring to mind Here, however, are congregated a vast number of curious and interesting objects, while the place is redolent of vivid historical associations. Ballou, Maturin Murray
• felicitous exhibiting an agreeably appropriate manner or style The first book is the finest, sparkling with felicitous expressions and rising frequently to true poetry. Dennis, John
• gusty blowing in puffs or short intermittent blasts Winds could get gusty , occasionally blowing at more than 30 miles per hour.
• natty marked by up-to-dateness in dress and manners He wore a checked suit, very natty , and was more than usually tall and fine-looking. Green, Anna Katharine
• pacifist opposed to war He was, furthermore, a real pacifist , believing that war is debasing morally and disastrous economically. Seymour, Charles
• buxom healthily plump and vigorous Mrs. Connelly—a round, rosy, buxom Irishwoman, with a mellow voice, laughing eye, and artist-red hair—was very much taken with their plan. Douglas, Amanda Minnie
• heyday the period of greatest prosperity or productivity Playboy's most popular years are well behind it - the magazine enjoyed its heyday in the 1970s. Washington Post (Jan 10, 2011)
• herculean displaying superhuman strength or power He made herculean efforts to get on terms with his examination subjects, and worked harder than he had ever done in his life before. Marshall, Archibald
• burgeon grow and flourish Brooklyn's burgeoning dining scene has even developed a following among Manhattan food lovers.
• crone an ugly, evil-looking old woman The aged crone wrinkled her forehead and lifted her grizzled eyebrows, still without looking at him. Myrick, Frank
• prognosticate make a prediction about; tell in advance How strange it is that our dreams often prognosticate coming events! Huth, Alexander
• lout an awkward, foolish person But this question was beyond the poor lout 's intelligence; he could only blubber and fend off possible chastisement. Williams, J. Scott (John Scott)
• simper smile in an insincere, unnatural, or coy way Mrs. Barnett's mouth simpered at the implied flattery; but her eyes, always looking calculatingly for substantial results, were studying Reedy Jenkins. Hamby, William H. (William Henry)
• iniquitous characterized by injustice or wickedness This was some piece of wickedness concocted by the venomous brain of the iniquitous Vicar, more abominable than all his other wickednesses. Trollope, Anthony
• rile disturb, especially by minor irritations The prospect of seeing Ms. Palin tour Alaska’s wild habitats may rile some people who oppose her opinions about climate change. New York Times (Mar 25, 2010)
• sentient endowed with feeling and unstructured consciousness The money fluttered from his hand to the floor, where it lay like a sentient thing, staring back as if mocking him. Hitchcock, Lucius W.
• garish tastelessly showy With its opulently garish sets and knee-jerk realism, the production dwarfed the cast, no matter what stars were singing. New York Times (Jan 2, 2011)
• readjustment the act of correcting again While earpieces are not uncomfortable, they do sometimes come loose, requiring readjustment . Slate (Apr 17, 2012)
• erstwhile belonging to some prior time Sony, whose erstwhile dominance in consumer electronics has been eroded by the likes of Samsung, could beat rivals to a potentially new generation of devices.
• aquiline curved down like an eagle's beak The nose slightly aquiline , curving at the nostril; while luxuriant hair, in broad plaits, fell far below her waist. Various
• bilious irritable as if suffering from indigestion But his sleep had not refreshed him; he waked up bilious , irritable, ill-tempered, and looked with hatred at his room. Garnett, Constance
• vilify spread negative information about The trial was televised and the victim's identity became known, resulting in her being vilified by almost the entire town.
• nuance a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude By working so hard to simplify things, we lose any nuance or ability to deal with folks’ individual circumstances. Washington Post (Oct 3, 2011)
• gawk look with amazement He speaks mainly of his humiliation at lying on the sidewalk as hipsters gawked . New York Times (Apr 9, 2012)
• refectory a communal dining-hall, usually in a monastery Meanwhile, the soup was getting cold in the refectory , so that the assembled brotherhood at last fell to, without waiting any longer for the Abbot. Scheffel, Joseph Victor von
• palatial suitable for or like a large and stately residence The house was very large; its rooms almost palatial in size, had been finished in richly carved hardwood panels and wainscoting, mostly polished mahogany. Hitchcock, Frederick L. (Frederick Lyman)
• mincing affectedly dainty or refined She went, carrying her little head very high indeed, and taking dainty, mincing steps. Banks, Nancy Huston
• trenchant having keenness and forcefulness and penetration in thought They are written in a serio-comic tone, and for sparkling wit, trenchant sarcasm, and dramatic dialectics surpass anything ever penned by Lessing. Lessing, Gotthold Ephraim
• emboss raise in a relief Requests may also be made of the stationer to use an embossed plate so that the letters stand out in relief. Eichler, Lillian
• proletarian a member of the working class As yet, the true proletarian wage-earner, uprooted from his native village and broken away from the organization of Indian society, is but insignificant. Stoddard, Lothrop
• careen pitching dangerously to one side I turned the steering wheel all the way to one side, and found myself careening backward in a violent arc. Vogel, Nancy
• debacle a sound defeat The Broncos are coming off their worst season in franchise history, a 4-12 debacle that included issues on and off the field. Newsweek (Jan 9, 2011)
• sycophant a person who tries to please someone to gain an advantage The people around the king are sycophants who are looking after their own personal advantage. Coffin, Charles Carleton
• crabbed annoyed and irritable He grew crabbed and soured, his temper flashing out on small provocation. Weyman, Stanley J.
• archetype something that serves as a model Newport, R.I., looks like a perfect archetype of a small, seaside New England town.
• cryptic of an obscure nature The authorities, beyond some cryptic language about the death being sudden but not suspicious, have released no details. New York Times (Aug 24, 2011)
• penchant a strong liking or preference But sometimes, old Wall Street habits — including a penchant for expensive luxuries — are hard to break. New York Times (Mar 31, 2012)
• bauble cheap showy jewelry or ornament But men were buying Valentine's baubles for their honeys long before the first Zales ever opened its doors in a suburban shopping mall. Slate (Feb 14, 2012)
• mountebank a flamboyant deceiver They are singularly clever, these Indian mountebanks , especially in sleight of hand tricks. Ballou, Maturin Murray
• fawning attempting to win favor by flattery “As any cult leader, he was extremely good at milking the rich, at flattering and fawning ,” Ms. Gordon said. New York Times (Apr 16, 2010)
• hummock a small natural mound Captain Bill leaned back on a hummock of earth, his arms folded behind his head. Grayson, J. J.
• apotheosis model of excellence or perfection of a kind Contrary to popular belief, however, she said Ms. Deen’s fat-laden cooking does not in fact represent the apotheosis of Southern cuisine. New York Times (Jan 17, 2012)
• discretionary not earmarked; available for use as needed Steeper prices for basic necessities have forced many to cut back on more discretionary purchases. Washington Post (Oct 19, 2011)
• pithy concise and full of meaning As Moore isolated finer points of the passing game, Keller in neat penmanship jotted down pithy phrases and punchy quotes, basic ideas and specific concepts. New York Times (Dec 10, 2011)
• comport behave in a certain manner Ironically, the one man on stage who did comport himself with dignity, John Huntsman, is now being dismissed as having not made an impact.
• checkered marked by changeable fortune Both restaurants have checkered histories with the health department; they were temporarily shut down for sanitary violations that included evidence of rodents. New York Times (Aug 22, 2010)
• ambrosia the food and drink of the gods "Frieda represents the lovely goddess, Hebe, who served nectar and ambrosia to the high gods on Mount Olympus," she explained. Vandercook, Margaret
• factious dissenting with the majority opinion Will it be answered that we are factious , discontented spirits, striving to disturb the public order, and tear up the old fastnesses of society? Stanton, Elizabeth Cady
• disgorge cause or allow to flow or run out or over There are telephone poles and cinder blocks and living room chairs and large trash bins, overturned and disgorging their soggy contents. New York Times (Oct 28, 2011)
• filch make off with belongings of others Then, in place of the real site, it displays a fake site created  to filch account numbers, login names and passwords. New York Times (Jul 13, 2010)
• wraith a ghostly figure, especially one seen shortly before death Whichever way he turns there loom past wraiths , restless as ghosts of unburied Grecian slain. Lee, Carson Jay
• demonstrable capable of being proved The linkage between deposits and trade is definite, causal, positive, statistically demonstrable . Anderson, Benjamin M.
• pertinacious stubbornly unyielding His temper, though yielding and easy in appearance, was in reality most obstinate and pertinacious . Kavanagh, Julia
• emend make corrections to The following were identified as spelling or typographic errors and have been emended as noted. Hopper, James
• laggard someone who takes more time than necessary Corporate data centers are the slowpoke laggards of information technology. New York Times (Apr 10, 2012)
• waffle pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness A few days of waffling back and forth and I ended up going out to a mediocre bistro with my parents. Scientific American (Feb 8, 2011)
• loquacious full of trivial conversation Pan soon found it needful to make conversation, in order to keep the loquacious old stage driver from talking too much. Grey, Zane
• venial easily excused or forgiven The confidence of ignorance, however venial in youth, is not altogether so excusable, in full grown men. School, A Sexton of the Old
• peon a laborer who is obliged to do menial work For the most part, the men were wiry peons , some toiling half naked, but there were a number who looked like prosperous citizens. Bindloss, Harold
• effulgence the quality of being bright and sending out rays of light Then, all at once, in a way that seemed to frighten her, the sunshine had burst the clouds, and dazzled her with its effulgence . Fenn, George Manville
• lode a deposit of valuable ore Such local perturbations are regularly used in Sweden for tracing out the position of underground lodes of iron ore. Gilbert, William
• fanfare a gaudy outward display It opened a month ago to considerable fanfare , with television cameras trailing government officials meandering proudly around the bright new stores filled with imported goods. New York Times (Aug 22, 2010)
• dilettante showing frivolous or superficial interest; amateurish They dabbled in politics and art in the same dilettante fashion. Cannan, Gilbert
• pusillanimous lacking in courage, strength, and resolution He was described by his friends as pusillanimous to an incredible extent, timid from excess of riches, afraid of his own shadow. Motley, John Lothrop
• ingrained deeply rooted; firmly fixed or held The narrow prejudices of his country were ingrained too deeply in his character to be disturbed by any change of surroundings. Fuller, Robert H.
• quagmire a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot The heavy rain had reduced this low-lying ground to a veritable quagmire , making progress very difficult even for one as unburdened as he was. Putnam Weale, B. L. (Bertram Lenox)
• reprobation severe disapproval Mr. Conway denounced this scheme as "utterly and flagrantly unconstitutional, as radically revolutionary in character and deserving the reprobation of every loyal citizen." Blaine, James Gillespie
• mannered having unnatural behavioral attributes Nothing was mannered or pretentious; the texts came through with utter naturalness. New York Times (May 29, 2011)
• squeamish easily disturbed or disgusted by unpleasant things But please note that this gunfire-fueled film is for mature audiences; given its content, young and/or squeamish viewers should avoid this one. Washington Post (Aug 6, 2010)
• proclivity a natural inclination She received, under her father's supervision, a very careful education, and developed her proclivities for literary composition at an early age. Adams, W. H. Davenport
• miserly characterized by or indicative of lack of generosity Now, my uncle seemed so miserly that I was struck dumb by this sudden generosity, and could find no words in which to thank him. Stevenson, Robert Louis
• vapid lacking significance or liveliness or spirit or zest How vapid was the talk of my remaining fellow-passengers; how slow of understanding, and how preoccupied with petty things they seemed! Dawson, A. J. (Alec John)
• mercurial liable to sudden unpredictable change Wind energy is notoriously mercurial , with patterns shifting drastically over the course of years, days, even minutes. Scientific American (Jan 4, 2012)
• perspicuous transparently clear; easily understandable The statements are plain and simple, a perfect model of perspicuous narrative. Smith, Uriah
• nonplus be a mystery or bewildering to I shook my head and rushed from his presence, completely nonplussed , bewildered, frantic. Cole, E. W. (Edward William)
• enamor attract Young Indian audiences are so enamored with reality television that they will not watch the soap operas and dramas that their parents or grandparents watch. New York Times (Jan 9, 2011)
• hackneyed repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse Many speakers become so addicted to certain hackneyed phrases that those used to hearing them speak can see them coming sentences away. Lewis, Arthur M. (Arthur Morrow)
• spate a large number or amount or extent French authorities are already reporting a rising spate of calls to emergency services by homeowners whose once-frozen water mains have now burst.
• pedagogue someone who educates young people His old pedagogue , Mr. Brownell, had been unable to teach him mathematics. Pierce, H. Winthrop
• acme the highest level or degree attainable Scientifically speaking, it is the acme of absurdity to talk of a man defying the law of gravitation when he lifts his arm. Huxley, Thomas H.
• masticate bite and grind with the teeth Food should be masticated quietly, and with the lips closed. Cooke, Maud C.
• sinecure a job that involves minimal duties He would have repudiated the notion that he was looking for a sinecure , but no doubt considered that the duties would be easy and light. Trollope, Anthony
• indite produce a literary work She indited religious poems which were the admiration of the age. Brittain, Alfred
• emetic a medicine that induces nausea and vomiting The juice of this herb, taken in ale, is esteemed a gentle and very good emetic , bringing on vomiting without any great irritation or pain. Smith, John Thomas
• temporize draw out a discussion or process in order to gain time So he temporized and beat about the bush, and did not touch first on that which was nearest his heart. Erskine, Payne
• unimpeachable beyond doubt or reproach Whether we agree with the conclusions of these writers or not, the method of critical investigation which they adopt is unimpeachable . Huxley, Thomas H.
• genesis a coming into being He found himself speculating on the genesis of the moral sense, how it developed in difficulties rather than in ease. Miller, Alice Duer
• mordant harshly ironic or sinister Even Morgan himself, intrepid as he was, shrank from the awful menace of the mordant words. Crawford, Will
• smattering a small number or amount Only a smattering of fans remained for all four ghastly quarters. Washington Post (Sep 24, 2011)
• suavity the quality of being charming and gracious in manner His combativeness was harnessed to his suavity , and he could be forcible and at the same time persuasive. Windsor, William
• stentorian very loud or booming If a hundred voices shouted in opposition, his stentorian tones still made themselves heard above the uproar. J?kai, M?r
• junket a trip taken by an official at public expense Mr. Abramoff arranged for junkets , including foreign golfing destinations, for the members of Congress he was trying to influence. New York Times (Feb 26, 2010)
• appurtenance a supplementary component that improves capability In the center of this space stood a large frame building whose courtyard, stables, and other appurtenances proclaimed it an inn. Madison, Lucy Foster
• nostrum patent medicine whose efficacy is questionable Just here a native "medicine man" dispenses nostrums of doubtful efficacy, and in front a quantity of red Moorish pottery is exposed for sale. Meakin, Budgett
• immure lock up or confine, in or as in a jail Political prisoners, numbering as many as three or four hundred at a time, have been immured within its massive walls. Boyd, Mary Stuart
• astringent acidic or bitter in taste or smell There was something sharply astringent about her then, like biting inadvertently into a green banana. McFee, William
• unfaltering marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable Still unfaltering , the procession commenced to trudge back, the littlest boy and girl bearing themselves bravely, with lips tight pressed. Sabin, Edwin L. (Edwin Legrand)
• tutelage attention and management implying responsibility for safety It will do so under German leadership that grows less hesitant with each crisis, and without the American tutelage it enjoyed for so many decades. Newsweek (Jan 23, 2011)
• testator a person who makes a will This will was drawn up by me some years since at the request of the testator , who was in good health, mentally and bodily. Henty, G. A. (George Alfred)
• elysian of such excellence as to suggest inspiration by the gods Life seemed an elysian dream, from which care and sorrow must be for ever banished. Hentz, Caroline Lee
• fulminate criticize severely But with people looking for almost any excuse to fulminate against airlines these days, there's a certain risk of embellishment.
• fractious easily irritated or annoyed He was a fractious invalid, and spared his wife neither time nor trouble in attending to his wants. Brazil, Angela
• pummel strike, usually with the fist Another, with rubber bands wrapped tightly around his face, is pummelled by a plastic boxing kangaroo.
• manumit free from slavery or servitude Moreover, manumitted slaves enjoyed the same rights, privileges and immunities that were enjoyed by those born free. Various
• unexceptionable completely acceptable; not open to reproach All cowboys are from necessity good cooks, and the fluffy, golden brown biscuits and fragrant coffee of Red's making were unexceptionable . Mayer, Frank
• triumvirate a group of three people responsible for civil authority This triumvirate approach has real benefits in terms of shared wisdom, and we will continue to discuss the big decisions among the three of us.
• sybarite a person addicted to luxury and pleasures of the senses He was not used to travelling on omnibuses, being something of a sybarite who spared nothing to ensure his own comfort. Wallace, Edgar
• jibe be compatible, similar, or consistent Contemporary art has never quite jibed with mainstream media.
• magisterial offensively self-assured or exercising unwarranted power “Now look here,” he said, making believe to take down my words and shaking his pencil at me in a magisterial way. Fenn, George Manville
• roseate of something having a dusty purplish pink color Behind the trees rough, lichened rock and stony slopes ran up to a bare ridge, silhouetted against the roseate glow of the morning sky. Bindloss, Harold
• obloquy abusive, malicious, and condemnatory language This is the real history of a transaction which, by frequent misrepresentation, has brought undeserved obloquy upon a generous man. Purchas, H. T. (Henry Thomas)
• hoodwink influence by slyness The stories of the saints he regarded as preposterous fables invented to hoodwink a gullible and illiterate populace.
• striate mark with stripes of contrasting color The body is striated with clearly defined, often depressed lines, which run longitudinally and sometimes spirally. Calkins, Gary N. (Gary Nathan)
• arrogate seize and take control without authority Japanese manufacturers were accused of arrogating American technologies to churn out low-cost electronics. New York Times (May 25, 2010)
• rarefied of high moral or intellectual value The debate over climate science has involved very complex physical models and rarefied areas of scientific knowledge. New York Times (Apr 9, 2011)
• chary characterized by great caution There was no independent verification of the figure; the authorities have been chary of releasing death tolls for fear of inflaming further violence. New York Times (Apr 24, 2011)
• credo any system of principles or beliefs She preferred to hang out with everyone but was best friends with no one, holding to the credo : “You should be nice to people.” New York Times (Jan 21, 2011)
• superannuated too old to be useful Civil servants are superannuated at fifty-five years of age and are sent home on a pension, seldom enjoying life longer than two years afterward. Hunt, Eleonora
• impolitic lacking tact, shrewdness, or prudence Bill Maher has always been a vocal critic of Islam, even at times making impolitic statements about the religion.
• aspersion a disparaging remark Lord Sanquhar then proceeded to deny the aspersion that he was an ill-natured fellow, ever revengeful, and delighting in blood. Thornbury, Walter
• abysmal exceptionally bad or displeasing After all, many Americans regard this Congress as dysfunctional, with abysmal approval ratings. New York Times (Dec 28, 2011)
• poignancy a quality that arouses emotions, especially pity or sorrow They were curious about the “near loss” experience—specifically the feelings of poignancy that occur when what we cherish disappears. Scientific American (Jan 17, 2011)
• stilted artificially formal or stiff But thanks to the stilted writing and stiff acting, the characters still feel very much like one-dimensional figures from a dutiful fable. New York Times (Jul 12, 2011)
• effete excessively self-indulgent, affected, or decadent John Bull was an effete old plutocrat whose sons and daughters were given up to sport and amusement. Moffett, Cleveland
• provender food for domestic livestock "Fools!" she cried, looking in her magic crystal, "he was in the big sycamore under which you stopped to give your horses provender !" Housman, Laurence
• endemic of a disease constantly present in a particular locality Mean-spirited chants and songs are also endemic in British soccer. New York Times (Jan 27, 2012)
• jocund full of or showing high-spirited merriment Her jocund laugh and merry voice, indeed, first attracted my attention. Lever, Charles James
• procedural of or relating to processes In other words, the rejection was a bureaucratic/ procedural decision. Scientific American (Feb 1, 2012)
• rakish marked by a carefree unconventionality or disreputableness She wore her red cap in a rakish manner on the side of her head, its tassel falling down over her forehead between her eyes. Sage, William
• skittish unpredictably excitable, especially of horses That combined with his calm and reassuring tone made me think of an animal trainer trying to woo skittish wild animals.
• peroration a flowery and highly rhetorical address He had little hope that Gallagher, once embarked on a peroration , would stop until he had used up all the words at his command. Birmingham, George A.
• nonentity a person of no influence Was he such a nonentity in every way that she could remain unconcerned as to any fear of danger from him? Woolson, Constance Fenimore
• abstemious marked by temperance in indulgence Raw, boozy, untethered performances are heralded as real; the abstemious professional is yawned off the stage.
• viscid having the sticky properties of an adhesive Roads were quagmires where travellers slipped and laboured through viscid mud and over icy fords. Buck, Charles Neville
• doggerel a comic verse of irregular measure He sang, with accompanying action, some dozen verses of doggerel , remarkable for obscenity and imbecility.  Ritchie, J. Ewing (James Ewing)
• sleight adroitness in using the hands The trick was performed Tuesday by Russell Fitzgerald, an amateur magician known to open meetings with a little sleight of hand. Washington Post (Sep 29, 2011)
• rubric category name Ms. Moss took issue, not surprisingly, with the notion that grouping the performances under the rubric of spirituality was a marketing ploy. New York Times (Nov 22, 2010)
• plenitude a full supply Of course at that season, amid the plenitude of seeds, nuts, and berries, they were as plump as partridges. Reid, Mayne
• rebus a puzzle consisting of pictures representing words They wrote at times with pictures standing for sounds, as we now write in rebus puzzles. Park, Robert Ezra
• wizened lean and wrinkled by shrinkage as from age or illness Kim Jong Il may be increasingly wizened and frail, with fingernails white from kidney disease, but his propaganda apparatus is as vigorous as ever. Wall Street Journal (Mar 26, 2010)
• whorl a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles The flowers are waxy, tubular, fragrant, turning their yellow petals backward in a whorl . Rogers, Julia Ellen
• fracas a noisy quarrel Other cops were battling each other, going after the kids and clutching empty air, cursing and screaming unheard orders in the fracas . Freas, Kelly
• iconoclast someone who attacks cherished ideas or institutions Jobs is a classic iconoclast , one who aggressively seeks out, attacks, and overthrows conventional ideas. BusinessWeek (Oct 12, 2010)
• saturnine bitter or scornful Only when Bill Lightfoot spoke did he look up, and then with a set sneer, growing daily more saturnine . Dixon, Maynard
• madrigal an unaccompanied partsong for several voices Nevertheless we learn from Malvezzi's publication that the pieces were all written in the madrigal style, frequently in numerous voice parts. Henderson, W. J. (William James)
• discursive tending to cover a wide range of subjects “Tabloid,” like his previous films, consists largely of long, discursive conversations — in effect monologues directed at an unseen, mostly unheard interlocutor. New York Times (Jul 22, 2011)
• zealot a fervent and even militant proponent of something "The public is going to just think of us as these zealots who want to ban smoking everywhere," he said. Seattle Times (Feb 20, 2011)
• moribund not growing or changing; without force or vitality The entertainment sector there is booming, while Pakistan's is moribund . Seattle Times (Dec 3, 2011)
• modicum a small or moderate or token amount He volunteered a modicum of advice, limited in quantity, but valuable. Bolderwood, Rolf
• connotation an idea that is implied or suggested In Arabic, the word “bayt” translates literally as house, but its connotations resonate beyond rooms and walls, summoning longings gathered about family and home. New York Times (Feb 18, 2012)
• adventitious associated by chance and not an integral part The derivation of the word thus appears to be merely accidental and adventitious . Stace, W. T. (Walter Terence)
• recondite difficult to understand The mystery of verse is like other abstruse and recondite mysteries—it strikes the ordinary fleshly man as absurd. Gosse, Edmund
• zephyr a slight wind The dwellings and public buildings throughout Cuba are planned to give free passage to every zephyr that wafts relief from the oppressive heat. Various
• countermand cancel officially In the midst of executing this order, he got another order countermanding it, and proceeding directly from his direct superior. Belloc, Hilaire
• captious tending to find and call attention to faults Miss Burton had been very irritable and captious in class, more so even than usual, and most of her anger was vented upon Gerry. Chaundler, Christine
• cognate having the same ancestral language The synonyms are also given in the cognate dialects of Welsh, Armoric, Irish, Gaelic, and Manx, showing at one view the connection between them.  Jenner, Henry
• forebear a person from whom you are descended His forebears were Greek immigrants who opened a small sandwich shop in Brooklyn, then moved, one after another, to Providence, to sell distinct, delectable wieners. New York Times (Sep 24, 2010)
• cadaverous very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold He looked gaunt and cadaverous , and much of his old reckless joyousness had left him, though he brightened up wonderfully on seeing an old friend. Doyle, A. Conan
• foist force onto another Mr. Knoll added that the 3-D “Star Wars” movies are not “going to be foisted on anybody against their will.” New York Times (Sep 29, 2010)
• dotage mental infirmity as a consequence of old age He is, as you say, a senile old man in his dotage . Wilcox, Ella Wheeler
• nexus a connected series or group Numerous innovators are also worrying away at this nexus of problems.
• choleric characterized by anger Jonathan, choleric with indignation, stood by his desk, clenching his hands. Mills, Weymer Jay
• garble distort or make false by mutilation or addition But the fact remains that the contradictory and inconsistent things said do reach the public, and usually in garbled and distorted form. Unknown
• bucolic idyllically rustic Forty-four years ago, Bill Sievers moved into his neo-Colonial house in Douglaston, Queens, on bucolic Poplar Street, lined with stately trees and equally stately homes. New York Times (Mar 26, 2012)
• denouement the outcome of a complex sequence of events Suppose the truly apocalyptic denouement happens -- no deal is reached, and taxes rise for everyone.
• animus a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility The youthful savages had each an armful of snowballs, and they were pelting the child with more animus than seemed befitting. Murray, David Christie
• overweening unrestrained, especially with regard to feelings He had overweening ambitions even then, along with a highly developed sense of his own importance. New York Times (Apr 19, 2010)
• tyro someone new to a field or activity As yet he was merely a tyro , gaining practical experience under a veteran Zeppelin commander. Westerman, Percy F. (Percy Francis)
• preen dress or groom with elaborate care He preened on fight nights in a tuxedo, a bow tie and no shirt, and he favored showy rings and bracelets. New York Times (Jul 24, 2011)
• largesse liberality in bestowing gifts After being saved by government largesse , they say, big banks then moved to thwart reforms aimed at preventing future meltdowns caused by excessive risk-taking. New York Times (Jul 14, 2011)
• retentive good at remembering The child was very sharp, and her memory was extremely retentive . Rowlands, Effie Adelaide
• unconscionable greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation For generations in the New York City public schools, this has become the norm with devastating consequences rooted in unconscionable levels of student failure. New York Times (Nov 4, 2011)
• badinage frivolous banter It was preposterous to talk to her of serious things, and nothing but an airy badinage seemed possible in her company. Maugham, W. Somerset (William Somerset)
• insensate devoid of feeling and consciousness and animation Men also are those brutal soldiers, alike stupidly ready, at the word of command, to drive the nail through quivering flesh or insensate wood. Stowe, Harriet Beecher
• sherbet a frozen dessert made primarily of fruit juice and sugar "One person said it looks like a big lime sherbet ice cream cone!" Southern Living (Apr 28, 2010)
• beatific resembling or befitting an angel or saint She dozed at last, her face serene and beatific . Beach, Rex Ellingwood
• bemuse cause to be confused emotionally They were marching in the middle of the street, chanting and singing and disrupting traffic while countless New Yorkers looked on, some bemused , others applauding.
• microcosm a miniature model of something The building, he said, is "a microcosm of what Shanghai was all about." Wall Street Journal (Apr 30, 2010)
• factitious not produced by natural forces; artificial or fake Indeed, the Chinese make a factitious cheese out of peas, which it is difficult to discriminate from the article of animal origin. Cameron, Charles Alexander, Sir
• gestate develop in the mind; have the idea for Mr. Lucas’s most recent project, still gestating , is a collaboration with Cuban musicians. New York Times (May 9, 2011)
• traduce speak unfavorably about For Grover Cleveland there were no longer enemies to traduce and vilify. Straus, Oscar S.
• sextant an instrument for measuring angular distance For example, a sextant could be used to sight the sun at high noon in order to determine one’s latitude. Scientific American (Mar 8, 2012)
• coiffure the arrangement of the hair They sat down, and Saint-Clair noticed his friend's coiffure ; a single rose was in her hair. M?rim?e, Prosper
• malleable easily influenced “The Americans are seen as naïve malleable tools in the hands of the Brits.” New York Times (Nov 30, 2011)
• rococo having excessive asymmetrical ornamentation The upper part of the case is decorated with elaborately carved and gilt rococo motifs. Bedini, Silvio A.
• fructify become productive or fruitful Thence they grow, expand, fructify , and the result is Progress. Stanton, Elizabeth Cady
• nihilist someone who rejects all theories of morality “He’s a loner nihilist who believes in nothing,” Mr. Lu said. New York Times (Nov 6, 2011)
• ellipsis a mark indicating that words have been omitted He speaks in ellipses , often leaving sentences hanging, and fiddles apologetically with his BlackBerry.
• accolade a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction The Nobel Prize, considered one of the highest accolades in literature, is given only to living writers. Seattle Times (Oct 6, 2011)
• codicil a supplement to a will The codicil to her will, which she had spoken of with so much composure, left three hundred pounds to Stella and me. Fothergill, Jessie
• roil be agitated Like thousands of fellow students, he was roiled with emotions, struggling to come to grips with an inescapable reality. New York Times (Nov 26, 2011)
• grandiloquent lofty in style A large part of his duties will be to strut about on the stage, and mouth more or less unintelligible sentences in a grandiloquent tone. Smith, Arthur H.
• inconsequential lacking worth or importance But as the months went by, Mr. Kimura had an unexpected epiphany: His business, which he thought was inconsequential , mattered to a lot of people.
• effervescence the property of giving off bubbles Both were in the very sparkle and effervescence of that fanciful glee which bubbles up from the golden, untried fountains of early childhood. Stowe, Harriet Beecher
• stultify deprive of strength or efficiency; make useless or worthless Far from being engines of economic growth, Egypt's leading cities are stultified .
• tureen large deep serving dish with a cover Soups are presented in big tureens and can be quite good. New York Times (Apr 13, 2012)
• pellucid transparently clear; easily understandable Caribou Island is a scant 300 pages, and written in prose as pellucid as the rivers he used to fish as a boy.
• euphony any pleasing and harmonious sounds It depends somewhat on usage and on euphony or agreeableness of sound. Hamilton, Frederick W. (Frederick William)
• apocryphal being of questionable authenticity We're reminded of the story, possibly apocryphal , that they used to play the Beach Boys' Smiley Smile in psychiatric wards to calm patients.
• veracious precisely accurate For proof, we cite the following veracious narrative, which bears within it every internal mark of truth, and matter for grave and serious reflection. Roby, John
• pendulous hanging loosely or bending downward And all around, far out of reach, the trees of the forest were swaying restlessly, their long, pendulous branches, like tentacles, lashing out hungrily. Bates, Harry
• exegesis an explanation or critical interpretation Its musical significance has been presented with illuminating exegesis by more than one commentator. Forkel, Johann Nikolaus
• effluvium a foul-smelling outflow or vapor However, acting on my best judgment, I struck a downward course, and then suddenly a horrible effluvium was wafted to my nostrils. Mitford, Bertram
• apposite being of striking appropriateness and pertinence He was quite capable of meaningful, apposite phrases about the game, even though distant sports editors did not encourage them enough.
• viscous having the sticky properties of an adhesive Sluggish, blind crawling things like three-foot slugs flowed across their path and among the tree trunks, leaving viscous trails of slime behind them. Various
• misanthrope someone who dislikes people in general And shaking his head like a misanthrope , disgusted, if not with life, at least with men, Patout led the horse to the stable. Dumas père, Alexandre
• vintner someone who makes wine The question remains, he said, whether established vintners will change their winemaking practices or “continue to sell their schlock.” New York Times (Oct 27, 2010)
• halcyon idyllically calm and peaceful; suggesting happy tranquility He now seemed to have entered on a halcyon period of life—congenial society, romantic and interesting surroundings. Kennard, Nina H.
• anthropomorphic suggesting human features for animals or inanimate things The same anthropomorphic fallacy that accords human attributes to giant corporations like BP distorts clear thinking about how to limit their political influence.
• turgid ostentatiously lofty in style His waspish wit can make him entertaining company at a party, but there is little evidence of that in his largely turgid prose.
• malaise a feeling of mild sickness or depression Initially, many doctors discounted sufferers’ feelings of generalized malaise as nothing more than stress or normal fatigue.
• polemical of or involving dispute or controversy His works include several dogmatic and polemical treatises, but the most important are the historical. Various
• gadfly a persistently annoying person Mr. Phelps is regarded here as the ultimate example of an irritating local gadfly . New York Times (Oct 9, 2010)
• atavism a reappearance of an earlier characteristic Criminal atavism might be defined as the sporadic reversion to savagery in certain individuals. Symonds, John Addington
• contusion an injury in which the skin is not broken My falling companion, being a much stouter man than myself did not fare so well, as his right shoulder received a severe contusion . Bevan, A. Beckford
• parsimonious excessively unwilling to spend Pill-splitting is catching on among parsimonious prescription-takers who want to lower costs.
• dulcet pleasing to the ear Ever and anon the dulcet murmur of gurgling streams broke gently on the ear. Madison, Lucy Foster
• reprise a repetition of a short musical passage The live set reprises material from this remarkable group's earlier Aurora CD.
• anodyne capable of relieving pain But philosophy failed, as it will probably fail till some far-off age, to find an anodyne for the spiritual distresses of the mass of men. Dill, Samuel
• bemused perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements They were marching in the middle of the street, chanting and singing and disrupting traffic while countless New Yorkers looked on, some bemused , others applauding.

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.

115 Advanced English Words (Advanced Vocabulary List)

Learning vocabulary is my hobby. It’s amazing how many meanings the word has, where it comes from, and what it represents in a cultural context . The more words you know, the more things and experiences you can name, which helps a lot if you want to become a writer.

“I have hated words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right.”― Markus Zusak

115 Advanced Words in English

1. construe (verb).

Example: From her arguments, I construe she wants to turn the world into a place of chaos.

2. Peruse (verb)

a) read (something), typically thoroughly or carefully. b) examine carefully or at length.

3. Condone (verb)

Example: For the last time, she condoned their egregious mistake.

4. Latent (adjective)

5. acrimonious (adjective).

Example: She rejected his offer with an acrimonious sneer.

6. Indubitable (adjective)

7. propitious (adjective), 8. tremulous (adjective), 9. masquerade (noun/verb).

Example: The whole grand reception was a masquerade.

10. Salient (adjective)

11. embroil (verb).

Example: She was embroiled in the scheme and there was no way out.

12. Languish (verb)

13. aspersion (noun).

Example: They hurled aspersions as she came along.

14. Sedulous (adjective)

15. pertinacious (adjective), 16. encumber (verb).

restrict or impede (someone or something) in such a way that free action or movement is difficult.

17. Effusion (noun)

a) an instance of giving off something such as a liquid or gas. b) an act of talking or writing in an unrestrained or heartfelt way.

18. Waffle (verb)

Example: Stop waffling about it or I’ll pull your tongue out!

19. Intrepid (adjective)

20. mores (noun), 21. disheveled (adjective).

untidy, disarranged

22. Sumptuous (adjective)

23. reciprocate (verb).

Example: The Moroccan trader gave him some tea, so he felt he had to reciprocate by buying something.

24. Infallible (adjective)

25. dissident (noun/adjective), 26. dispatch (verb/noun), 27. intransigence (noun), 28. pastoral (adjective/noun).

Example: The light pastoral depicted children strolling through meadows among the cattle.

29. Concede (verb)

30. manifold (adjective), 31. punitive (adjective).

inflicting or intended as punishment.

32. Nonplus (noun/verb)

33. salacious (adjective).

Example: The salacious dog had to be restrained.

34. Behoove (verb)

35. vulpine (adjective), 36. premise (noun).

a) a previous statement or proposition from which another is inferred or follows as a conclusion.

37. Demise (noun)

38. megalomania (noun).

Example: Megalomania was the worst, among his many negative qualities.

39. Asinine (adjective)

40. surfeit (noun/verb), 41. reputable (adjective).

Example: I’ll give you a recommendation for a reputable psychologist.

42. Oblique (adjective)

43. jeopardize (verb).

Example: By divulging secret information, he jeopardized the whole operation.

44. Impudence (noun)

45. desolate (adjective/verb), 46. ballast (noun/verb).

a) heavy material, such as gravel, sand, or iron, placed in the bilge of a ship to ensure its stability. b) give stability to (a ship) by putting a heavy substance in its bilge.

47. Disperse (verb/adjective)

48. faze (verb).

Example: He wasn’t fazed by their threats.

49. Compunction (noun)

50. complacency (noun), 51. caliber (noun).

a) the quality of someone’s character or the level of their ability. b) the internal diameter or bore of a gun barrel.

52. Entreat (verb)

53. dissection (noun).

Example: He dissected the paragraph with such precision that even the distinguished professors were amazed.

54. Antiquated (adjective)

55. anguish (noun/verb), 56. effeminate (adjective).

(of a man) having characteristics regarded as typical of a woman; unmanly.

57. Enmity (noun)

58. epoch (noun).

Example: It was in the epoch of Socrates and Plato that ideas of the afterlife first took hold over the European psyche.

59. Intrinsic (adjective)

60. quotidian (adjective), 61. hazardous (adjective).

risky; dangerous.

62. Peregrination (noun)

63. attenuate (verb).

Example: Medical cannabis attenuated the pain of the cancer patient.

64. Unravel (verb)

65. behemoth (noun), 66. impeccable (adjective).

by the highest standards; faultless.

67. Jaded (adjective)

68. figurative (adjective).

Example: He was a master of pithy, figurative expressions.

69. Relic (noun)

70. wreak (verb), 71. utopia (noun).

an imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect.

72. Vegetate (verb)

73. infringe (verb).

Example: He infringed on their agreement by opting out just after twenty days into the contract.

74. Subtlety (noun)

75. epitaph (noun), 76. grisly (adjective).

causing horror or disgust.

77. Libido (noun)

78. epitome (noun).

Example: The president was an epitome of imbecility.

79. Topple (verb)

80. morose (adjective), 81. impalpable (adjective).

a) unable to be felt by touch. b) not easily comprehended.

82. Gratuitous (adjective)

83. opaque (adjective).

Example: He couldn’t see anything through the opaque glass of the jail cell.

84. Postmortem (noun)

85. eclectic (adjective/noun), 86. delve (verb).

reach inside a receptacle and search for something.

87. Studious (adjective)

88. impel (verb).

Example: He impelled the soldiers to face the enemy.

89. Mannered (adjective)

90. peevish (adjective), 91. stickler (noun).

a person who insists on a certain quality or type of behavior

92. Adulterate (verb)

93. deplete (verb).

Example: All our resources are being depleted.

94. Nadir (noun)

95. prelude (noun), 96. curtail (verb).

reduce in extent or quantity; restrict on.

97. Tacit (adjective)

98. abstruse (adjective).

Example: His philosophy was abstruse.

99. Placate (verb)

100. fathomless (adjective), 101. iconoclastic (adjective).

criticizing or attacking cherished beliefs or institutions.

102. Antithesis (noun)

103. magniloquent (adjective).

Example: His magniloquent speech didn’t impress anyone.

104. Deference (noun)

105. unwitting (adjective), 106. mutinous (adjective).

Example: The mutinous sailors threw the captain over the board.

107. Craven (adjective/noun)

108. luminary (noun), 109. homage (noun).

special honor or respect that is shown publicly.

110. Cupidity (noun)

111. syllogism (noun), 112. facetious (adjective).

treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant.

113. Martinet (noun)

114. irksome (adjective), 115. defalcate (verb).

embezzle (funds with which one has been entrusted).

This is a part of the language and vocabulary series, which includes:

Parting words, rafal reyzer.

Hey there, welcome to my blog! I'm a full-time entrepreneur building two companies, a digital marketer, and a content creator with 10+ years of experience. I started RafalReyzer.com to provide you with great tools and strategies you can use to become a proficient digital marketer and achieve freedom through online creativity. My site is a one-stop shop for digital marketers, and content enthusiasts who want to be independent, earn more money, and create beautiful things. Explore my journey here , and don't miss out on my AI Marketing Mastery online course.

English that goes straight to the heart

Essay Examples

An essay is a piece of writing that revolves around a particular theme and contains the academic opinions of the person writing it.

An essay can perform one or more of the following functions:

• Analyses and critically evaluates a topic
• Presents the writer‘s argument for or against an idea
• Describes something
• Narrates a story
• Persuades the reader

To write a good essay you need an Introduction, a Body (Supporting Paragraphs), and a Conclusion. In this post, we have added the top 20 Essay Examples.

Essay Examples #1

Essay on my family (500+ words).

Family is the place where you learn your first lesson in life. Your family members are the only assets that will remain with you forever. Whatever the circumstances, family members are always there for each other to support us. Good values and good morals are always taught in a family.

In the family, we are prepared to respect our elders and love younger ones. We learn lessons consistently from our family, about honesty, dependability, kindness and so on. Although I am a student in my final year, my family always treats me like a child but always provides me with a sensation of so much love and care.

My family is the best family for me. I live in a nuclear family of five members. My father is a teacher. He is the man who heads and leads our family. He brings the family into reality. My father is my hero as he predicts the need of the time and raises his family by bearing all the responsibilities and discharging all the duties for giving a required shape. I respect him for his great deeds.

Daily Test - Attempt Now

My father does not force me to go for a career his choice. He does not want that his son should follow only his profession. He wants that his son should go according to his own choice, suitability, and capability. But my father desires his son should go for a better future.

My mother is a housewife as well as a beautician. She is a lovely woman. My mother is everything to me. She is the one who understands me best and most closely. My mother is my co-partner in everyday work and different issues.

My mother was the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. She is my mother, who shapes me, to become a nobleman through her great, insightful, and elegant activities. My mother motivates me to learn by consenting to the activities which are important for character building and improvement. My mother creates an environment for me to learn enough in a natural manner.

My grandmother is the cutest person of all. In light of her, everybody has to get up early in the morning. She is fond of making sweet dishes and we love what she does. She is a focused woman and because of her everything needs to be in order.

My brother, who is elder than me, is the tallest. He is a Youtuber and is fond of cooking. He loves to play cricket and is a gadget freak. He doesn’t study much but is very sweet and gentlemanly.

I love my family because they are the jewels of my life. They work hard so that we can get anything we desire makes me love and respect my parents considerably more. We play games every night and discuss various topics to spend some quality time together.

I give deep respect and pay the highest regard to my family not just because they are my family, but for their unmatched and incredible sacrifices for me.

Also, Read 6 Types of Essay

Essay Examples #2

Essay on my father (500+ words).

My father is the man who heads and leads our family. He brings the family into reality. But in a real sense, my father predicts the need of the time and raises his family by bearing all the responsibilities and discharging all the duties for giving a required shape. I respect him for his great deeds.

My father is financially weak but fulfils my genuine requirements and guarantees that I should not be a survivor of feelings of inadequacy. My poor father does not hesitate to sweat heavily to enhance his earnings for my sake. He eats a little less but does not think twice about taking care of mine.

My father does not force me to go for a career of my papa’s choice. He does not want that his son should follow only his profession. He wants that his son should go according to his own choice, suitability, and capability. The tradition of specific jobs running in the family is literally dying. A doctor is not wanting his son to be a doctor, a professor is avoiding his profession for his children, an army officer is not forcing his son to join the defence forces, and so on. But my father desires his son should go for a better future.

My Father is a mature and agreeable individual who assists me make important decisions. Like most doting fathers, he plays a very important role in my life helping me build my career as well as resolve my everyday issues too. When I am looking for help and guidance against the odds, I, first of all, approached my father who comes forward leaving all his personal priorities and doing the needful. My father is a person who works tirelessly and makes countless penances to figure out my issues.

My father goes with me in all the activities ensuring my correct moves. He really looks at my problem and moulds me by giving lectures in the series in order to form a lovely sense in my mind. His concern is for my better career. My father is mature enough, knowledgeable, and very much aware of my cutting-edge needs, evaluates my inclination as well as decision, and does all-out efforts to develop me for accomplishing my objective.

My father is educated and has a logical vision. Today, my father has transformed into a trendy dad. His thinking is new which suits the time. He takes full advantage of his knowledge and modernization in raising me suitably and making me capable and confident to confront the competitive life that is prevailing today.

My father as an ideal father makes all efforts to meet my necessities. He would rather not leave any lacuna which may affect my development and career-building process.

We celebrate Father’s Day every year on 19 June to strengthen the relationship and remind a father of the sacrifices he endured towards his kids when they were in need.

It is very important that we should give deep respect and pay the highest regard to our fathers.

Essay Examples #3

Essay on my mother (500+ words).

The moment a child is born, the mother is born as well. When a child gets a sense, it looks up at its mother and starts to follow the mother’s movements. The mind of a child is generally very sharp. It copies the activities of the mother eagerly. Mother takes all the care of her kid from all points like health, dress, diet, entertainment, education, sports, and development of competitive aptitude. The mother attracts the kid through love and affection.

We can describe motherhood in terms of sacrifice. My mother ignores her comforts and works hard for good food, wear, and education for me. It is a natural and noteworthy quality that is wholly found in a mother. My mother bears the responsibility of motherhood not only from a young age, but she remains a trusted adviser throughout my life. It is very important that we should give deep respect and pay the highest regard to our mothers not just because they are mothers, but for their unmatched motherhood and incredible sacrifices towards us.

My mother is everything to me. She is the one who understands me best and most closely. My mother is my co-partner in everyday work and different issues. Sometimes my mother takes on a tremendous amount of responsibility and works under tension, when I need her, to take up its battle, both personally and professionally, to accomplish the troublesome objective in my work or business. We should owe our mothers for their everything.

There is an extraordinary job the mother does in influencing the kid. The foundation made by my mother through affection, persistence, discipline, direction, and tears permits me to cruise upon my ocean. It is my mother, who shapes me, to become a nobleman through her great, insightful, and elegant activities. My mother motivates me to learn by consenting to the activities which are important for character building and improvement. My mother creates an environment for me to learn enough in a natural manner.

Sometimes my mother uses specific hard measures to discipline me and teach me valuable lessons. She denounces me by denying me food. She forbids me to indulge in undesirable activities. Sometimes, she makes the dreaded beating with the rod. She shows her dismay. She warns of the carefulness. But I know, she is very soft from the inside. She is a well-wisher of mine. Her only point is that she needs her child free from inadequacies.

There are some cases when the children especially the individuals who are not depending on their parents and are working away, have forgotten their mothers. They don’t go home for quite a long time but their mothers still pray with all their hearts that they stay blissful and happy. She will ever remain a well-wisher of her children regardless of the circumstances.

It is very important that we should give deep respect and pay the highest regard to our mothers not just because they are mothers, but for their unmatched motherhood and incredible sacrifices towards us.

Write Essay by Academic Experts

Some students may ask: “Is paying someone to write my essay for me possible?” Yes, there is a great opportunity to have papers written online by academic experts.

Essay Examples #4

Balanced diet essay (500+ words).

People eat junk foods and other unhealthy food items only for taste. They don’t even have time to nourish their bodies with the required diet. A healthy and balanced diet reduces stress and promotes healthy life without suffering. Thus, it stands out of utmost importance to individuals to examine the significance of a healthy body.

A diet that contains all kinds of necessary ingredients in almost the required quantity is called the “Balanced Diet”. A Balanced diet is one that helps to maintain or improve overall health. We should consume a balanced diet consisting of essential nutrition: liquids, adequate proteins, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and calories. We must eat fresh fruits, salad, green leafy vegetables, milk, egg, yoghurt, etc. on time in order to maintain a healthy body.

Among the minerals, we require chiefly iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, and small quantities of iodine, copper, etc. They are found in green vegetables and most fruits, Vitamins have a number of kinds like A, B, C, D, etc. Vitamin A is found in fish oil, butter, carrot, papaya, etc., and Vitamin B is found in green leafy vegetables, wheat grain, etc. Vitamin C is found in green chilli, green vegetables, amla, lemon, and citric fruits. Vitamin D is found in the first oil, butter, and rays of the sun. We also need Vitamins E and K for our health. Milk is perhaps the only single item that can be called a balanced diet in itself.

Animal protein is found in meats, poultry, and fish. The white of an egg also contains protein. Another kind of protein is found in milk (casein), cheese, curd, pulses, soybean, dry fruits, etc. Fat is found in butter, pork, coconut, all edible oils, cod liver oil, the yolk of an egg, etc.

We should eat only fresh, well-washed and well-cooked food articles which are free from dust and flies. Fried foods and foods containing excess fat, spices, and chillis are harmful. Roadside eating should be avoided. We should take the last meal two or three hours before going to bed. There should be a good time gap between two meals so that the food gets digested in our stomachs.

A healthy body also needs some daily physical activities, proper rest and sleep neatness, a healthy environment, fresh air, and water, personal hygiene, etc. Also, we should drink more water at least 7-8 glasses of water. It balances blood pressure and supplies vital nutrients exceptionally quickly to the body. A fit and healthy individual turns out to be more resistant to infections and diseases.

Wealth matters, but, is not as important as health. Spending lots of money on junk food in five-star hotels or on other entertainment sources like watching films for a day and so on has no advantages other than self-satisfaction. Being physically and mentally healthy helps an individual to be socially and financially healthy as well.

Also, Read Academic Essay

Essay Examples #5

Health is wealth essay (500+ words).

The greatest wealth is our own health. A healthy body can earn great wealth but a wealthy person cannot earn great health.

Man is a reasonable creature. His predominance over different creatures lies in his superior mind. As a matter of fact, man has been able to control nature due to his highly developed brain. But man needs to keep his body and mind fit and healthy. It is said that “A healthy man is a wealthy one”. Regular exercise helps us to keep fit and simultaneously keep an alarm in mind. Good and sound well-being would guarantee an agile and active mind. Just as an individual’s state of mind and feelings are reflected in an individual’s health, a body that is feeble and ill-suited plays devastation on an individual’s psychological prosperity.

Recent studies have shown that the increased stress of the present speedy life is leading to various medical conditions. Major among those are heart and neurological problems. Good health assists an individual to keep a positive attitude toward work and life in general.

Regardless of anything else difficulties and obstacles, we go over, life is intended to be positive and cheerful. To enjoy and appreciate the wonderful things of life we need the energy and zest for life. This can happen only when the body is healthy enough to take on the difficulties of life.

An untalented man can also deal with his occupation through the excellence of his good health. We see a number of people having good physiques working on the farm the entire day by putting their energy into earning bread for themselves and their family members. It gives them mental satisfaction and a night of sound sleep during the night. Not only that a physically strong and intelligent man can stretch out better help to society and gain appreciation from individuals.

We realize that there is value in good health, so it ought to be improved. There are areas where people are badly suffering for want of healthcare centres. The hospitals in many rural areas are running without doctors and medicines. There are people who are suffering from multiple diseases or injuries but are not getting treatment, in the absence of proper medical facilities. The poor people can not afford the treatment after going to big cities. The treatment of major diseases in private hospitals is beyond their reach.

The medic.. facility alone can not solve the issue. There is a requirement for awareness among people for carrying out regular physical exercises to have sound health and efficiency to work. People who are cautious and aware of their health join Gymnasium and Yoga camps. The inspiration will intrigue others to follow these good frameworks for making them disease free and enabling them to enjoy robust health.

If a person can figure out how to free his mind of unhealthy and negative thoughts like self-indulgence, he can stir up the will to improve his body. That will free him of most illnesses that are of psychological origin. When he is on the way to good health, he will encounter a superior mind.

Also, Read Examples of Personal Essay

Essay Examples #6

Importance of history as a subject essay (500 words).

History is a very important and interesting subject. Those who are keen to know about the past events and heroism of great people, generally opt for history. History gives curiosities about the noble deeds of noble people who could make themselves fit to be chosen, by the excellence of their remarkable performance, for a record in the books of history. Such people and their acts, through which they could show wonder, always rouse others to follow. The study of history influences one’s character.

No doubt, the present generation has become materialistic as a result of modern science and very few students are going to study history. Their goal has changed. They are keener to earn more and more money for enjoying lavishly rather than philosophizing about historic events.

The study of history is very important to know about the major events which have happened within the nation and the world. An educated man ought to be aware of significant events of the past. The study of history makes a man savvy on various additional matters like religion, legislative issues, sociology, literature, economics, foreign policies, unity, freedom, trade, commerce, geographical aspects, and various indigenous and foreign races. A number of wars, victories, and treaties, which happened in the past inside the nation and outside, have been kept in the books of history. The reader of history knows all about these occurrences exhaustively after he goes through them.

History features differently. We know from history that in the past this world was a turning chunk of fire and a fragment of the Sun. It solidified after so many years and turned out to be increasingly cool step by step. Then life appeared with creatures, other living things, and plants. They were followed by apes and remote ancestors of man. There are countless different realities and happenings that are contained in the books of history.

History must be studied for many important reasons. Its study increases our understanding of caste, religion, tradition, and customs. Its study clarifies that all were man-made. The fundamental point behind it was to make a framework for work, feeling, and civilization in society. There is no religious sanctity attached to anyone. It is changing with the difference in time.

The study of history teaches us the lesson of courage, determination, and hope. A man may be feeble, however throughout ages, he has struggled against heavy odds and never looked back. He faced many disastrous wars and revolutions, yet, he has advanced. The study of history uncovers us the heroism of the man who empowered him to accomplish so much in different fields.

Now you realize the Importance of History as a Subject. Let us encourage the study of history in our country with a positive and helpful point. Let us arrange the study of history to give courage and strength to our childhood empowering them to grasp the element in it for making good use in building up a strong and prosperous country.

Also, Read Examples of Informative Essay

Essay Examples #7

Value of sports and games essay (500+ words).

Sports and games are as important as food, education, and other essential things for children. Games and sports are significant means of entertainment. Nowadays students are busy with their studies. They have a ton of books and various subjects to study. They need some change, which can be given by sports. The outdoor games and sports revive the students and make them able to regain their lost energy. Sports and games produce mental freshness and the students take an interest to concentrate on studying more.

Sports and games are also extremely valuable for good health. The outdoor games are more helpful, where the students share the company of nature and inhale fresh air. They get a lot of physical exercise while playing games outside on the playground. It keeps them physically and mentally fit. Sports and games make the students dynamic which is vital at that age.

Sports and games teach students the value of discipline, collaboration, leadership, judgment, courage, and determination to win. These things also assist the students to develop their traits of personality, which is very important for developing a talented person.

Sports and games teach them the requirement of sacrifice, discipline, elegance, liberality, and solidness, which enable them to effectively lead life. These characteristics in a man carry superfineness to act effectivity regardless of the circumstance and the task they come across. Citizens with such potential can contribute a lot to society and the country to which they belong.

Games likewise give an outlet to excess fat and weight and keep the students solid and dynamic. This aspect is crucial to keep the students healthy. Sports activities are the best means to utilize time in a positive way. They do not waste their time loitering and going on undesirable activities.

We see that the majority of the great athletes are from western and other developed countries. The reasons are obvious. They play games and sports right from childhood and primary school. India is progressing rapidly. We are now capable of affording expenditure on sports activities right from primary standard to empower us to improve the image of the country in sports.

That can be possible only when the children are provided opportunities right from the beginning. If required sports can be made a compulsory subject and marks can be added to the result, which will attract the students towards hard work with an interest in succeeding in sports. That will make an equation to create an ever-increasing number of athletes. The Government and the school administration have to ensure adequate sports facilities in all the schools and colleges. That will inspire the students to take part with a more prominent interest.

It is very clear that games and sports have extraordinary value in life. The games should be played keeping their nobility in mind. The nobility of the games should be maintained. There is a need to create a sports atmosphere in all the schools and colleges for attracting a maximum number of students to take part in the events.

Essay Examples #8

Essay on science and technology (500+ words).

This is the age of science and technology. Its benefits have arisen as a significant determinant of the wealth and power of the nation. The development of science and technology has significant ramifications on the management of the future pattern of social and economic growth.

In a fast-changing world, the fate of the country can be moulded through our ability to harness modern science and technology, which is a road to boost the development programs of the country.

Rapid technological advances have reduced the dependency on natural resources or the factors in proportion to it. Man is performing precisely by machines with a regular improvement in his work because of quick technological changes by virtue of scientific advancement all around the world.

The foremost important aspect that the world is perceiving today is consistent endeavours to consolidate the gains of science for improving the human condition. Scientific discoveries have to be converted by human efforts into technological innovation which have to be developed to achieve significant improvement in the human condition.

Our agricultural scientists have proactively made an exceptional commitment to giving new innovations for growing the crop with scientific methods, which have developed our national economy and human welfare by empowering ourselves completely independent in food grains. This could be accomplished through related technology and scientific methods by providing machines and developing quality seeds, fertilizers, and insecticides, which are suited to bringing a green revolution to the field of agriculture.

We have accomplished desired scientific and technological advancement and have succeeded in boosting various important national activities like information and telecommunication, television, meteorological services, medical advancement, industrial development, nuclear research, Space Research Oceanographic Research, etc.

Over the years a strong science and technology infrastructure base has been established for giving modern shape to world industries. It covers a chain of laboratories, specialized centres, various academic and research institutes, training centres, and useful development programs, which continuously provide skill, technically trained manpower, and technological support to industries for better execution.

Science has advanced a great deal in the field of medical care. New technology has given a compelling medical care framework at a reasonable cost. The new technology that medical science has invented provides the system, under which critical cases can be handled Confidently for saving human life. Medical research has been carried out, broadly on nutrition, tuberculosis, reproduction, child care, leprosy, drugs, communicable diseases, cholera, and malaria, which has an extremely certain result. Man is in a position today where he can undertake to treat these dreaded diseases according to the new invention which has given an established method of treatment and care.

If we look at the global scenario, the modern world is moving exceptionally fast. There are rapid scientific and technological changes that are occurring in a steady progression. Our country, as a global competitor, in the race of becoming a world power, needs to accomplish more in the area of Science and Technology emphasizing it as its foremost national priority in order to accomplish its objective.

Also, Read Summarizing an Essay

Essay Examples #9

Essay on co education (500 words).

Co-education is a system of education in which boys and girls study together in a common school or college. Co-education was not prevalent in ancient times. It is a groundbreaking thought. The parents supported the case for adequate education for the children irrespective of their sex. The countrymen realized that the boys and girls have to move together and shoulder to shoulder in every walk of life in the free world. They started educating their children in co-educational institutions.

Co-education has various advantages. It is useful in producing a sensation of solidarity and a feeling of equivalent obligation among boys and girls. When young boys and girls come closer to each other, they take more care in understanding each other. That helps in creating a friendly atmosphere between the two. The boys and the girls partake in their joint exercises consistently in schools and universities.

Co-education assists in carrying out a change in society according to the need of modern times. Young boys and girls get the opportunity to blend in with one another frankly and conveniently. They act together on different events and occasions in society. They demonstrate examples of cooperation before individuals, which inspires and produces a healthy spirit of working among the masses.

Co-education produces good citizens who have sufficient quality and development in them. That is a direct result of acquiring various experiences of good and terrible nature during their student life in coeducational institutions. This sort of value in an individual separates him respectably during his further course of life. Such citizens are mostly successful in their work because of their characteristic potentiality and maturity.

Ours is a male-overwhelmed society. There is a sensation of mediocrity among women. There is a need to educate the public opinion that the rights of women and men are equal and that they have an equal role to play in society. Their aim and interest are one, and both the men and the women possess the equal ability to act. The aim should be to remove the feeling of an inferiority complex and bring oneness between the two. That will generate confidence in the female community and will give great working strength to the country.

Co-education is the only answer to this issue. When the boys and the girls live and study together for a long time, the disparity of gender goes off and the feeling of equality is seen apparently among them. By prudence of this improvement, both the young boys and the young girls speed up their working with their equivalent and joint endeavours during their life and accomplish their objectives all the more without any problem.

In a democratic country, women are similarly valuable and can work side by side with men. We can not disregard the significance of women in the current circumstances. As a matter of fact, we need to give equal responsibility to women for taking our country ahead smoothly and making its dream of becoming a world power come true.

Essay Examples #10

Essay on disaster management (500+ words).

Numerous disasters are striking the people and the properties, which are causing great loss and we merely watch helplessly in the absence of prior management planning. Every government is spending immense cash on different issues, yet it is uninterested in chalking out the necessities against anticipated disasters.

Poor disaster management fails in handling the situation during it the happening. That could be checked or the outcomes diminished with earlier preparation and effective disaster management. That management can be trustworthy, which consists of certain essential norms like good training, the latest types of equipment, allocation of responsibilities, alertness, drill to tackle the situation on short notice, fast communication system, economic arrangements, and order of precedence depending upon the situation, security arrangements, adequate medical cover, rehabilitation where applicable and standing orders for essential services like transport, food and supplies, medicines and so on.

There is a necessity to set up teams independently for each anticipated disaster as per the preparation and capacity of the individuals for empowering them to tackle the situation with skill.

The disasters, which are generally occurring are either natural causes or accidental.

Disasters, which are caused due to natural reasons are always wide-ranging and more terrible. It needs greater arrangements by setting up an appropriate establishment and infrastructure. On the other hand, disasters which are caused accidentally need limited arrangements, but the time factor is more important to executing rescue operations in it.

Various other accidental occurrences have been occurring in our nation bringing about enormous disasters. These are chiefly accidents of aeroplanes and buses, blasts in mines, explosions due to mishandling of ammunition scraps, accidents while dealing the nuclear substances and during their disposal, hijacking, etc. There is a necessity to set up disaster management forces, which can manage the circumstances and salvage men and materials as timely as possible.

If we look at developed countries like America, Britain, France, etc, they have previously presented a different subject on disaster management in schools and universities with the aim to train and equip the students for handling emergency situations. There is a necessity to follow a similar arrangement of schooling in other countries for empowering the country to prepare every single resident to face and battle difficulties effectively during any sort of disaster.

As a matter of fact, the students ought to be prepared by training, drill, or practice for growing more certainty to deal with the circumstances in the genuine term on the ground. It is vital in the present life to have precautionary measures and adequate disaster management forces for tackling emergency situations when disasters are on increase due to the virtual effect of the advancement of science.

You Asked, We Listened – Get Free Access to All Writing Lists 😍😍

Essay Examples #1 1

My native place.

My parents hail from a small village in Kerala which is nestled among mountains in a scenic district of the state. Every year, I visit my native place with my family. It is a trip that I look forward to all year. My father books the ticket two months in advance as it is difficult to procure reservations on short notice. Although I have lived in the city all my life, I feel that I never belonged to it. I have always felt at home in the quaint mountain village that is far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life.

It takes us 18 hours by train to reach the railway station that is closest to my village. The journey is usually gruelling in the summers but very pleasant in the winters and the monsoons. We plan our trip in the summer months since we get a two-month vacation in April. To beat the heat, we travel by air-conditioned coaches every year. We board the train at noon and we reach our destination at 6 am the next day.

The morning air is heavy with the scent of flowers and wet foliage. The temple bells start ringing at 6:30 am and the sound of bhajans fills the air. The village is only a 20-minute rickshaw ride away from the station. When we enter my grandmother‘s house, we are welcomed by her diminutive figure holding a lamp. According to her, it is auspicious to welcome loved ones by lighting the lamp at the altar of God. The moment we set foot into the house, we are filled with a sense of nostalgia and love. After a sumptuous yet simple breakfast, we relax with our family in the courtyard.

The cool mountain air is laden with scents of the rustic countryside. From afar, we hear the sounds of birds. My sister and I make paper boats and run to the little babbling brook that flows southwards. We set the boats on the water and watch them bob up and down. Far away from the world of video games and television, we seek fun in a world of simplicity.

The house itself has a personality. Simple, two-storeyed, made of stone walls and a thatched roof, the house is an old friend who warmly embraces you every time you meet. The rooms are small but well-maintained. On the ground floor is a room that my grandmother uses for storing condiments and grains. It is illuminated with a single light bulb and an old-fashioned lock-and-key style door. In its corner is a small bed. The calming silence of the room soothes my ears and transports me into a magical place. I feel weightless. The smell of spices envelops me.

On many occasions, I have spent hours sprawled on that bed reading a book or listening to music. If I ever have to pick a favourite place, then I have no doubt this would be it. When twilight descends on the little hamlet, large clusters of stars start appearing in the sky. Such a sight is never seen in the city as the lights obscure the stars that appear in the sky. My grandmother lights the lamp again and we all gather around her to say our evening prayers. After enjoying her simple, rustic yet delicious meal, we retire for the night.

Sometimes when I am upset, I think of my quaint little house in the village, my grandmother‘s warm embrace, and the small room that smells of spices. They immediately help me put my worries away and bring a smile to my face.

Essay Examples #12

Conquering my fear.

I am a fairly brave person. I can confidently say that I am the go-to girl if somebody wants to flick a bug away from his or her collar or pacify a growling dog. Sometimes, I have stayed up late at night trying to calm the frayed nerves of a friend a week before the exams. Is there anything that a fairly brave person like me is frightened of? I am afraid, (pun intended) the answer is yes.

From a very young age, I was frightened of water. Picnics on river banks were nightmares. Never did I appreciate the beauty of a setting sun without dreading the rolling waves that crashed against the shore. In clinical terms, I was aquaphobic – someone who had a pathological fear of water bodies.

Was I happy about it? Of course not! I didn’t want to be the one sitting plastic chair when my family enjoyed a game of throwing a ball in the pool. This summer, I swore to myself that I will conquer this irrational fear at any cost. To put my plan into motion, I joined a swimming class. I told my instructor wasn‘t like the other students who have no trouble getting into the water. The fundamental challenge in coaching me is that I had to be coaxed into the water first.

Thankfully, the instructor was a patient person who took me seriously. He asked me to take my time and come back when I had figured out the reason for my fear. It took me a while but I went back when I found out that my phobia stemmed from my fear of drowning. As a child, I was pushed into the water and survived the scary drowning experience. He smiled and said, “Now that you know the reason, let me introduce you to your adversary.” I was about to perform the most daring act of my life, stepping into the pool.

I took my first step and found myself shivering. I immediately retreated. My instructor said benevolently, “Enough for today. Let‘s take baby steps.” The next day I took two steps. Just when I felt the urge to run back, I told myself, “It‘s just water. It will not harm you.” I stayed in the water for full 10 minutes. I repeated the feat the day after and this time, I waded deeper into the water. I never thought I would see this day; here I was, standing in the pool with water that came up to my chest. Across the pool, I heard my instructor applauding.

In the weeks that followed, I was already preparing for my swimming lessons. In a matter of months, I could say that I tamed my bête noir and had become a decent swimmer. I surprised my family by diving into the pool during a family picnic. I could finally see the beauty of the setting sun without worrying about missing my step and falling headfirst into the sea. For me, the greatest victory was challenging the limitations of my own mind and conquering my worst fears.

Also, Read Will Literature Prosper in an Age of Computer?

Essay Examples #13

How to optimise your time as a student.

It is generally believed that students have a lot of free time. They can afford to spend their time without a care in the world and have the liberty to live as they please. Nothing can be further from the truth. Childhood and adolescence are not simply about whiling away time with immature pursuits; those years play a fundamental role in building one‘s ambitions and shaping one‘s career. Students have to juggle their studies along with their social and familial commitments. Some students are naturally attuned to using their time wisely, but some may not be blessed with those skills. To optimize one‘s time, students should discipline themselves by incorporating some time-saving tips.

Being organized is the cardinal rule in saving time. It simplifies one‘s life. Being a student involves extensive perusal and note-making. Students also take down notes in class which is dictated by their teachers. The lazy ones do not keep a track of where these notes are. As the exams are near, such students may find themselves in a chaotic situation. The diligent ones can access all their notes and use them with ease. To save time, students should start by adopting small practices. They could maintain separate notebooks for different subjects and organize notes in a folder that is labelled according to date and subject.

Keeping the right company also matters. Good fruits when left with spoilt ones turn rotten themselves. Similarly, the company of lazy, insincere people can turn any diligent student bad. Good habits, like bad ones, rub off on others. So, students should make a conscious effort to avoid falling into bad company. They should seek out the ones who could instil more discipline into their lives.

Focus on understanding the basics of every subject. The bedrock of the subject lies in its basics. Without it, education will not have a strong foundation. Knowing the basics also helps students in grasping difficult concepts easily. Therefore, students intent on saving time should go back to their textbooks. Prioritizing tasks can help students save time if they are on a tight deadline. Create a timetable by prioritizing the difficult subjects so that more time can be spent on them.

Following these basic rules can help students optimize their time. They needn‘t fret about balancing studies with recreation if they were to make some smart choices.

Essay Examples #14

The process of digestion.

Your digestive system is one of the most wondrous processes in your body. It is uniquely designed to convert your food into nutrients that are needed for your body‘s functioning. If not for the process of digestion, the human body would be deprived of nutrients and may slowly degenerate. Let us learn how it works.

The food which you eat is broken down partially in the mouth. Your saliva aids in the process by making it pliable and breaking down the starch. Your teeth grind the food into a fine paste-like consistency. From the mouth, the food travels through the pharynx to the oesophagus.

The oesophagus is a muscular tube that connects the pharynx to the stomach. The food reaches the stomach using systematic contractions called peristalsis. These contractions facilitate the movement of the food.

Your stomach is the next destination of the food. It is a pouch-like organ that processes food. Here, the food is completely broken down. Powerful muscles of the stomach along with strong gastric juices blend the food into a paste-like consistency. From the stomach, the paste-like mixture moves further down into the small intestine. It has three parts—duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. It is coiled inside the abdominal cavity and can be about 20 feet in length. In the small intestine, the process of breaking down food is continued. Your pancreas and liver supply enzymes and bile, respectively.

Bile helps in the digestion of fat and eliminates the waste products in the blood. Through peristalsis, the food is moved and mixed with the digestive juices. The duodenum breaks down the food, while the jejunum and ileum absorb all the nutrients and release them into the bloodstream. Your colon is a 5-6-foot-long tube that connects the caecum to the rectum. It absorbs all the water in the stools and releases debris and bacteria into the rectum. The residue is passed into the anus, from where it is eliminated as faeces.

In the complicated procedure, all the digestive organs work in unison each fulfilling its duty with precision. Even if one of these procedures fails, your body may stop functioning properly. Such is the beauty of digestion.

Essay Examples #15

Ajji’s treats.

Appetizing foods are those that appeal both to the eyes and the palate. You may have seen on television how great chefs go to any lengths to make sure that the carefully crafted food is aesthetically presented to taste. They meticulously measure the colour, feel, smell, and dimensions of the food when they mount it onto the plate. Whenever I watch such shows, I am reminded of Ajji who had the ability to give any seasoned chef a run for his money.

She never bothered to follow any of the fastidious rules of modern-day chefs or appealingly presented her culinary creations. She did not believe in fussing over how food was presented, but she did believe in how food was cooked.

Ajji‘s food was not attractive to look at. The laddoos were sometimes not round enough. Lumps and chunks would be barely holding onto one other in a hastily crafted sphere. Her Puran polis reminded me of the map of Europe. The dal curry looked pallid without any garnishing. My heart did ache at the sight of rosy basundi served in ugly plastic bowls. Her food was definitely not meant for someone who feasted with his eyes; it was meant to be enjoyed with the soul.

The haphazardly made laddoos were made with so much love that we would not let a crumb go to waste. Her golden Puran polis with jagged edges was filled with a delicious mixture that would melt in your mouth. The fragrance of her pallid dal curry was welcomed into the homes of the neighbours. We joked that the neighbours would be full by the aroma alone.

On special occasions, she made basundi by stirring the milk meticulously for hours. Even though it was served in ugly bowls, we would never pass a chance to enjoy it. Today she is not with us and neither are her recipes. As a token of her love for me, she bequeathed her personal cookbook to me. No matter how well I try to recreate her laddoos, I can never make them look as beautifully lumpy as she did.

Essay Examples #16

How education enriched me.

The importance of education for men and women cannot be understated. It plays a crucial role in the personal development of an individual and enriches the socio-economical fabric of society. Today, education is necessary for success, and each individual is pitched against the other in a bid to outperform one another. Education is something that can give a person the necessary edge over others. It is definitely an instrument of social progress.

Education does not merely end with sending children to school. It is a fire that has to be stoked repeatedly. I was born to intelligent parents who understood the importance of imparting education to children. They not only sent me to a very good school but also whetted my interest in a variety of subjects by buying books and educational toys for me. Games such as Scrabble, Taboo, math puzzles, and the Rubik’s Cube stimulated my brain cells and strengthened my intellectual faculties.

My childhood was spent reading books of all kinds. Exposure to classical works of literature enriched my knowledge of the language. Thanks to my extensive reading, I also possess a very vibrant vocabulary. Encyclopedias on subjects like science and geography made me aware of the basic scientific principles and cultures of people all around the world. History made me realize how human follies can change the course of our progress. Historical figures like Gandhi and Martin Luther King made me understand that social change can be brought about without the need to shed blood.

Math introduced me to the mesmerizing world of numbers. It challenged my mind and made it sharper. Physics, Chemistry, and Biology helped me understand the laws governing the physical world around me. It made me appreciate the universe more. I often ponder how the world as we know it came into being. Though I am left without answers most of the time, I feel fortunate enough to have a mind that can question its own existence. I can weigh my actions morally and assess the repercussions of my words thanks to my education.

Without the benison of education, my life would have been no better than that of an animal. Apart from providing us with the knowledge to get by in life, it makes us rise above our primal tendencies. It expands our worldview and makes us more civilized. Educated people can become the driving force in the success of a nation. Education has made me what I am today. I am thankful that I, unlike many of my countrymen, have been fortunate enough to receive it.

Essay Examples #17

Who are we.

I have always thought about the nature of my existence. What am I? What is my identity? Made of flesh, blood, and a complex system of internal organs, is my body my identity? My countenance expresses my various moods and emotions, is my face my identity? Are my thoughts that make me who I am? We are much more than what we perceive ourselves to be. We need to move beyond the obvious to ponder upon the truth of our existence. Ask yourself, ‘Who am I?’

The Upanishads state, ‘Aham Bhrahmasmi’, meaning ‘I am Brahman’. The term Brahman here does not refer to the caste; it refers to the ultimate truth that underlies all the phenomena in the universe. According to the Vedas, the real self is not the body or the mind. Beyond the realms of the body and the mind is the soul. The soul represents our consciousness; consciousness is nothing but the awareness of the self by the self. It does not arise out of our material interactions.

Physically, we are composed of various elements—oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, etc. These elements constitute our bodies. If so, we are our bodies. What role does consciousness play in our identity?

Consciousness is a difficult term to define or understand. It cannot be explained with the help of numbers or explained with words. We identify ourselves with materials because they pleasure our physical selves. We form attachments for our need to be loved. We form ties that we cannot break free from. This further wedges a gap between us and our consciousness and we lose ourselves in the maze of worldliness.

We should never get distracted from our quest to uncover mysteries about ourselves. Only then will we realize our purpose in the vast system of planets, stars, life, and galaxies.

Essay Examples #18

Next to love, sympathy is the most divine passion.

The word ‘Sympathy’ is derived from the Greek prefix ‘syn’ or ‘sym’ which means together or joint and the root word ‘pathy’ which means to feel. Therefore, sympathy means to have a fellow feeling towards another living thing. It is characterized by the ability to understand the suffering of others and feel sorry for their plight. It is a trait that makes us distinctly human. It sets man apart from the beast; the civilized apart from the uncivilized; and the kind apart from the cruel.

The feeling of sympathy has a role to play in human society. It facilitates bonding between human beings and makes the burden of suffering lighter. Sympathy makes us extend a helping hand to someone in need and fosters a feeling of fellowship. Often the kind words of a stranger, a reassuring embrace of a friend and the patient ears of a dear one take the sting away from our pain.

Sympathy also ensures harmony in society. Apart from the role it plays in abating somebody‘s pain, sympathy also acts as a deterrent against crimes. It prevents us from wrongdoing through the voice of our conscience. Lack of sympathy is the foremost trait of a criminal.

The ability to shed a tear for someone is seen as a sign of weakness by a shallow society. But the perpetrators of this belief often forget that the strongest of individuals sometimes yearn for sympathy. Only hearts as cold as a stone would be devoid of this beautiful emotion since sympathy is a celebration of everything that makes us human.

Essay Examples #19

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

The proverb in its literal sense may seem counterintuitive. Why in the world would anybody want to keep their enemies closer than they keep their friends? The answer to this can be sought in the figurative implications of the proverb. The quote ‘Keep your friends close and your enemies closer is sometimes attributed to Nicolo Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, and even to Don Corleone, the protagonist of the novel The Godfather.

In the heart of the proverb lies the message that one can learn more from enemies than one does from friends. There are many reasons why this proverb holds water.

First, you can learn a lot from someone whom you despise. The best wisdom does not necessarily come from being with friends. A friend is someone who is agreeable and who does not become an obstacle or a threat to your ambitions. Chances are that you and your friend share a similar worldview. He or she is an extension of your own self.

An enemy, on the contrary, is someone who you don’t trust and who is aiming for the same things as you are. They are your opposites. Their ideas, beliefs, and worldviews may be in stark contrast with your own. By observing them, you can get a fresh perspective on a situation that you may not receive from your friends.

To outwit your enemies, you should pay close attention to their moves. This can help you stay ahead of them all the time. Keeping them at close quarters helps you in determining their motives. This helps you in anticipating all their moves.

Your enemy may have a lot of weaknesses that he does not like to bring to the fore. On the outside, he may seem like a formidable foe, but on the inside, he may be hiding some flaws which he does not wish to show the world. Knowing your enemy‘s weakness is the biggest instrument in anybody’s arsenal.

Sometimes, unexpectedly, you may find that your enemy may not be the ‘scheming’ and ‘evil’ villain you have imagined him to be. You may be surprised to find that he shares some of your values as well. An enemy may cease to be an enemy and you may learn to empathize with him/her. Hence, to be successful, you should be able to exploit your friendships and gain wisdom by observing your enemies.

Essay Examples #20

The lazy tiger.

Once upon a time, there lived a tiger. His mother named him Mkali, which means fierce. But that was a misnomer because Mkali was a lazy little cat. Nothing in the jungle could excite him. His mother Jasiri was an expert hunter. She had single-handedly provided for the entire ambush once when food was scarce in the jungle. She had also taught her other children how to prey on hippopotamuses and how to tackle prey with antlers. She was very well respected in the Tiger community and had held the title of ‘Tigress Extraordinaire’.

The carnivores of the jungle sniggered when they spoke of her perpetually sleepy son. “How could he be born to Jasiri?” the Hyena Cheka said. Tiririka the python added, “That boy wouldn’t swat a fly if it were to be sitting on his nose all day.” Mkali was never bothered. He loved his life; lazing around the river all day, returning home for dinner, feasting on the prey his mother had painstakingly caught and then sleeping on the thickest branch of his favourite tree.

One day, the unthinkable happened. Jasiri had cornered a water buffalo and was preparing to strike it down in one swift move. Suddenly, the beast swung its head goring her grievously. Her den was at a distance so she had to drag herself all the way. Mkali wondered why his mother didn’t call him for supper that day.

Once he entered the den, he saw his mother moaning in pain. She said, “Son, I think I am going to die. I don’t know how you would feed yourself.” Mkali’s eyes welled up. He was aware of his prodigal ways, but he didn‘t want to let his mother die thinking that her son could not provide for himself.

Something changed in him that day. He walked to a nearby pool and looked at his own reflection. He saw in himself a fierce tiger who had finally realized his life‘s purpose. He had to make his mother proud.

Mkali started providing for his ailing mother. He hunted small animals first. He then graduated to preying on larger animals such as sambars. He gathered medicinal herbs and ground them. Jasiri’s wounds were very deep, but with Mkali’s loving care she could walk again. The other animals were dumbfounded by his metamorphosis. Jasiri, on the other hand, was proud that her son proved everyone wrong.

Essay on Dussehra

Read More »

Essay on Christmas Day

Daily reading comprehension test - attempt now, discover more from english luv.

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

About Words – Cambridge Dictionary blog

Commenting on developments in the English language

Simply the best! (Ways to describe the best)

Listen to the author reading this blog post.

By   Kate Woodford

The much-loved Tina Turner famously sang ‘You’re simply the best, Better than all the rest’, giving us a brief but helpful lesson in irregular comparatives and superlatives. In this post, I aim to expand on the superlative part of that lesson, providing useful words and phrases for describing someone or something that is considered the best.

Let’s start with a really useful phrasal verb. Someone or something that stands out is noticeably better than other people or things of the same type. Note that the preposition ‘from’ often follows this verb:

One performer really stands out from all the others.

We sampled a few products, but none of them really stood out.

To convey the same meaning of being noticeably better than others, we can use the adjectives outstanding and standout . Note that ‘standout’ as an adjective always goes before a noun. It can also be used on its own as a noun:

It was an outstanding performance by the keeper.

Gomez was outstanding in the second half.

She was definitely the standout performer.

She was the clear standout.

Staying with adjectives in this area, if someone or something is incomparable , they are so good that no one or nothing else can be compared to them:

She created works of incomparable beauty.

We must first acknowledge his incomparable genius, both as a thinker and a writer.

Four slightly formal adjectives – unsurpassed , unmatched , unparalleled , and UK unrivalled / US unrivaled – have the same meaning as ‘incomparable’:

His skills as a painter remain unsurpassed three centuries later.

The food here is of a quality unmatched anywhere else in London.

This was an act of unparalleled generosity.

The museum boasts an unrivalled collection of portrait miniatures.

Moving on to idioms, if someone or something is very much better than similar people or things, you can say they are a cut above the others. Even more emphatically, you might say that they are second to none , meaning they are the best:

This is a cut above your average crime drama.

The facilities here are exceptional. They really are second to none.

A very visual expression used for saying that someone or something is the best is to say that they are or they stand head and shoulders above other people or things:

In terms of her skills, she was head and shoulders above her contemporaries.

They stand head and shoulders above the competition. 

You can also say that someone or something that is the best is in a class by itself or in a class of its own :

In terms of customer service, they’re in a class of their own.

Her voice is in a class by itself.

Finally, the expression the gold standard is used for a thing that is so good, it is used for comparing and judging the quality or effectiveness of other similar things. It is often used of medical procedures and treatments:

For years, this was the gold standard for treating the disease.

Thank you for reading this post. I hope it’s taught you some useful new vocabulary.

Share this:

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

6 thoughts on “ Simply the best! (Ways to describe the best) ”

Thank you very much.

It’s certainly taught us plenty of useful vocabulary. Thank you. Let me kindly contribute to this lovely piece of work. If we say that something takes some beating, we mean it is so good that it is hard to improve on: The hotel I’ve visited really takes some beating – the sevice is out of this world. Someone or something that leaves someone or something standing is very much better than others of the same type: His voice is excellent – it leaves the others standing.

Little question from this dutchy, hai y’all . 》What ate the most fitting synonyms fot words like : 》You’re the best.) ” Kudos ‘ -or , – Probs I thought both are something like “i applaud you”, ish ? Curious to hear your answer Nice post Have a good one y’all ! ✴️

(Translating that last sentence directly into Dutch, so wrong way,, it would sound something like : (Remember to) pick a good/most fitting/best one/item/.. ! etc. Lol 🙋🏼‍♀️🇳🇱🙉

Thank you for this OUTSTANDING post! It’s actually interesting!!!

This article is really UNRIVALED. Also the way she reads it is really OUTSTANDING.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Discover more from about words - cambridge dictionary blog.

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

AI Grammar Checker

Get Premium for a 10,000-word limit.

No text is detected.

Please enter your text and click "Check Grammar" to see the revision.

Our AI Grammar Checker Perfects Your Sentences Like a Pro

Use Wordvice AI's free AI grammar checker to refine your English sentences in any document. Instantly find and correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style mistakes; receive vocabulary enhancements and feedback to boost your writing skills. The free grammar checker streamlines editing, ensuring you steer clear of linguistic errors and elevate the effectiveness of your writing.

What is a grammar checker?

An online grammar checker is a powerful tool that analyzes and corrects sentences in real time to fix any grammar, spelling, punctuation, and syntax errors. Leveraging AI-powered technology, it provides a dependable and cost-effective method to instantly enhance your writing and communication skills.

A thorough grammar check is crucial to refining your writing for clarity and precision. An online sentence checker like Wordvice AI gives you access to professional-grade writing correction, letting you polish your written content before submitting it to journals, reviewers, or professors.

Write with Confidence with Our Powerful Grammar Checker Tool

Our free online grammar checker enhances your documents by improving grammar, clarity, and coherence in your writing. Whether you're correcting language mistakes or refining complex sentences, Wordvice AI’s free grammar check tool is your essential AI helper for writing and sentence checking.

Accelerate the writing process

Boost your writing speed with the AI Grammar Checker's one-click correction feature. This tool quickly identifies errors and applies corrections to your entire text at once, saving you the hassle of addressing mistakes one by one.

Polish your writing style and expression

Our free grammar checker does more than just correct grammar. It detects and corrects awkward phrases and inappropriate vocabulary, suggesting better alternatives to strengthen your message. It also improves sentence structure and tone of voice for greater clarity and impact.

Master English grammar rules

While many grammar checkers fix errors without explanation, the AI Grammar Checker provides detailed editorial comments on the changes made. This feedback offers valuable insights into the rules of English grammar, aiding in the improvement of your writing skills.

How to Use Our Grammar Checker

Before submitting any text for an online grammar check, adjust the revision settings to align with the requirements of your document.

1. Paste the text you would like to correct into the text box.

2. Select the grammar-checking mode that best suits your document.

3. Select “Check Grammar” and the grammar checker gets to work.

Need your document edited by a professional human editor?

For some documents, a sentence checker just won’t cut it. Why not seek the expertise of a professional to fine-tune the writing in your crucial documents? While our AI writing and editing tools provide instant and free corrections, we also offer two tiers of editing services by professional human editors.

• Opt for Wordvice AI’s Human Proofreader Service when looking for affordable grammar correction and basic stylistic editing by human professionals with fast delivery. Ideal for enhancing essential documents with a personalized touch.
• Choose Wordvice’s expert Proofreading Services for in-depth stylistic editing and grammar checking by native English speakers who hold advanced degrees related to your document's academic field. Benefit from comprehensive feedback on both the content and language aspects. This service is especially suited for academic papers bound for journal publication.

Common Writing Errors Targeted by Our Free Grammar Checker

Let the best online grammar checker catch your writing mistakes so you can focus on creating quality content.

Authors Rely on the Best Grammar Checker to Correct Their Documents

Our accurate free grammar checker can be used by any writer to enhance any type of document.

Research authors need a free grammar checker…

…to assist in refining research papers, journal articles, manuscripts, and dissertations for publication in high-impact journals.

Students benefit from AI grammar correction…

…to craft application essays, CVs and resumes, classroom assignments, and term papers that will captivate admissions officials.

Businesses depend on a sentence checker…

…to perfect marketing materials, blog articles, social media posts, reports, and creative works that engage their audiences and drive revenue.

Wordvice AI Grammar Checker FAQ

Here are some common queries about our free grammar checker software.

• Why should I use a sentence checker for my documents? An AI grammar and sentence checker offers writers a quick and effective way to polish their writing, making it an essential tool for revising a variety of texts. These checkers do more than just identify and correct grammar and spelling mistakes–they also enhance the overall clarity and coherence of your writing. Employing advanced language models and natural language processing technology, a grammar check tool provides recommendations that can improve your writing style, making it more compelling and professional, regardless of content type. Whether you're composing a crucial email, an academic paper, or a college application essay, using an AI grammar checker ensures that your message is expressed clearly, precisely, and with greater impact, all while saving you valuable time.
• What is the best free grammar checker? The best grammar checker will offer comprehensive error detection, intuitive interfaces, and versatility in handling different document types. It's essential for such a tool to accurately pinpoint and correct grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors. Some grammar checkers, like Wordvice AI, go further by providing style enhancements, customizable correction modes, and explanatory feedback to explain the changes made. The Wordvice AI Grammar Checker employs cutting-edge language models to immediately rectify your writing's grammar, spelling, punctuation, and stylistic inaccuracies. It's adept at adjusting to various writing formats, including academic papers, admissions essays, business communications, creative writing, and online content.
• How does our English grammar checker app work? To access instant grammar checking for any type of text, simply sign up with Wordvice AI, input your text into the AI text box, and hit the "Check Grammar" button. Although the Basic plan offers limited checking modes and a restricted amount of text that can be checked, upgrading to a Premium plan allows full access to all revision modes and features of our AI tools and gives you nearly unlimited monthly submissions.
• Can the AI Grammar Checker replace a human editor? An AI grammar check tool can significantly aid but not entirely replace a human proofreader. Although Wordvice AI’s tools are proficient in spotting and rectifying grammatical, spelling, and syntax errors, they lack the nuanced comprehension of context and tone that human editors offer. While AI grammar-checking software is indispensable for quick, basic corrections, human intervention is essential for thorough, context-sensitive editing. If your document requires editing and proofreading beyond the initial drafting phase, consider Wordvice’s professional English editing services . Our academic subject experts will refine your writing, providing the nuanced human touch only experienced editors can ensure.
• How much does the AI Grammar Checker cost? Wordvice AI's online grammar checker is available at no cost upon registration. Just sign up and submit your details to begin instantly enhancing your texts. For access to additional features and broader use of AI grammar-checker capabilities that aid in advancing your writing, consider upgrading to a Premium plan. Visit the Wordvice AI Pricing page for detailed information on plans and to compare the various revision tools and functionalities.
• Is your free grammar checker safe and secure for my documents? All documents and text submitted to Wordvice AI’s grammar checker are fully secure and treated with the utmost confidentiality. We implement state-of-the-art encryption protocols to safeguard your work and keep it private. For details on our data collection and storage practices, please refer to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
• Is the AI Grammar Checker compatible with other programs? Wordvice AI is available as an MS Word add-in, and a Chrome extension is currently in development. The MS Word add-in enables users to correct text directly in their Microsoft Word documents, incorporating the same grammar check capabilities and commentary features found in our online platform. Learn how to install and use the Wordvice AI MS Word add-in .
• Do you offer expert proofreading and editing services? Alongside our free grammar-checking website, Wordvice also provides professional proofreading services for any document type. Whether you're preparing a manuscript for publication, crafting a statement of purpose for graduate school, or polishing a resume for a professional role, Wordvice is equipped to meet all your editing and grammar correction needs.
• AI Paraphraser : rewords and enhances your sentences for clarity and style
• AI Summarizer : distills the core points of your text into a concise bulleted summary
• AI Translator : utilizes cutting-edge AI technology for accurate language translations
• AI Plagiarism Checker : scans for plagiarism across documents and identifies AI-generated content

• School Life

Essay on Raksha Bandhan: Short and Long Essays for School Students in English

Raksha bandhan essay: raksha bandhan is around the corner, and students must be searching for essays to write on rakhi. check here the short and long essays on raksha bandhan. also, get 10 important lines on rakhi..

Essay on Rakhi: Raksha Bandhan is one of the cultural festivals of India, celebrated primarily in North India. Schools organise cultural activities and competitions for students to show their creativity and learn about this special day. One such activity is the essay writing competition on Raksha Bandhan.

10 Lines on Raksha Bandhan in English

• Raksha Bandhan is a significant Hindu festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters.
• On this day, sisters tie "rakhi" on their brothers' wrists.
• The rakhi symbolises the sister's love and prayers for her brother's well-being.
• Brothers, in return, give gifts and promise to protect and care for their sisters.
• The festival is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravan.
• Raksha Bandhan strengthens the bond of love, trust, and affection between siblings.
• The festival has a rich history and is linked to various mythological stories.
• It is a day when families come together to celebrate and share happiness.
• The tradition of Raksha Bandhan varies across different regions and communities in India.
• Raksha Bandhan reminds us of the importance of family relationships and the duty to protect and support each other.

Raksha Bandhan Essay in English 150 words

Raksha Bandhan is a cultural festival that celebrates the bond of love and protection between brothers and sisters. This tradition is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month Shravan, which generally falls in August. On the day of Raksha Bandhan, sisters tie a thread called “rakhi” on their brother’s wrist to symbolise the prayers and love towards their bond and wish him good health and wealth. In return, brothers give their sisters gifts and blessings.

Raksha Bandhan Essay in English 200 words

Raksha Bandhan is a special festival celebrated in India that honours the strong bond between brothers and sisters. The name "Raksha Bandhan" means "the bond of protection." On this day, which falls on the full moon in the month of Shravan (August), sisters tie a colourful thread called a "rakhi" around their brothers' wrists. This rakhi is a symbol of the sister's love and wishes for her brother's happiness and long lif

In return, brothers give their sisters gifts and promise to protect and care for them throughout their lives. This exchange is a way of showing mutual respect and affection. The festival is often celebrated with family gatherings, where everyone enjoys special sweets and traditional foods.

Raksha Bandhan is not limited to blood relations; it can also be celebrated between cousins or even close friends who share a bond like that of siblings. It is a day filled with joy, laughter, and the warmth of family togetherness.

Raksha Bandhan Essay in English 250 words

Raksha Bandhan is a traditional Indian festival that celebrates the bond of love and protection between brothers and sisters. This festival, which usually falls in August, on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravan, is marked by sisters tying a rakhi, a colourful and sacred thread, around their brothers' wrists. The rakhi symbolises the sister’s love and prayers for her brother's well-being, while the brother promises to protect and care for his sister.

The festival of Raksha Bandhan has its roots in various stories from history and mythology. One popular legend is from the epic Mahabharata. It is said that when Lord Krishna injured his finger, Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, tore a piece of her sari and tied it around Krishna’s finger to stop the bleeding. Touched by her gesture, Krishna promised to protect her, and later, he fulfilled this promise during her moment of great distress.

Another story is about Queen Karnavati of Mewar. When she felt threatened by the Sultan of Gujarat, she sent a rakhi to Emperor Humayun, seeking his protection. Honouring the bond of the rakhi, Humayun came to her aid.

Raksha Bandhan Essay in English 500 words

Raksha Bandhan, also known as Rakhi, is a special festival celebrated in India that honours the love and bond between brothers and sisters. The name "Raksha Bandhan" means "the bond of protection." This festival is celebrated every year on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravan, which usually falls in August.

On Raksha Bandhan, sisters tie a colourful and sacred thread called a "rakhi" around their brothers' wrists. The rakhi is a symbol of the sister’s love, care, and prayers for her brother’s well-being and happiness. In return, the brother gives his sister gifts and promises to protect and care for her throughout his life. This exchange shows how much brothers and sisters love and respect each other. It also reminds them of their duties towards each other.

The festival is not just about the rakhi and gifts; it is about strengthening the bond between siblings. Raksha Bandhan is a time when families come together to celebrate. They enjoy special sweets and traditional foods, and the day is filled with joy, laughter, and the warmth of being with loved ones.

Raksha Bandhan is also a festival that is not limited to blood relations. Cousins, close friends, and even neighbours can celebrate Raksha Bandhan if they share a bond like that of siblings. This makes the festival inclusive and shows that love and protection are universal values.

The story behind Raksha Bandhan comes from Indian history and mythology. One of the most famous stories is from the Mahabharata, an ancient Indian epic. In this story, Lord Krishna once injured his finger. Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, quickly tore a piece of her sari and tied it around Krishna’s finger to stop the bleeding. Lord Krishna was touched by her kind gesture and promised to protect her whenever she needed help. Later, when Draupadi was in great distress, Krishna kept his promise and protected her.

Another famous story is about Queen Karnavati of Mewar. In the early 16th century, when she felt threatened by the Sultan of Gujarat, Queen Karnavati sent a rakhi to Emperor Humayun, asking for his protection. Even though they were not related by blood, Humayun honoured the bond of the rakhi and came to her aid.

These stories show that Raksha Bandhan is not just a simple tradition but a festival with deep meaning. It teaches us about love, trust, loyalty, and the importance of keeping promises. The festival reminds brothers and sisters to stand by each other in times of need and to always protect and care for one another.

Raksha Bandhan is a festival that brings families together. It strengthens the bond between siblings and makes them feel closer to each other. It is a day filled with love, joy, and togetherness. Whether you are a brother or a sister, Raksha Bandhan is a day to celebrate the special relationship you share.

In conclusion, Raksha Bandhan is a beautiful festival that highlights the importance of family and the bond between brothers and sisters. It teaches us that love, care, and protection are the true gifts we can give each other. By celebrating Raksha Bandhan, we celebrate the strength of our family bonds and the values of trust and loyalty that keep us united.

Students can use the above-provided essay examples to create their own. You can add more creative content and real-life examples or experiences to make it more engaging.

• Rakshabandhan Essay in English for School Students
• DIY Rakhi Crafts Ideas
• Easy Handmade Rakhi Making Ideas
• रक्षाबंधन पर निबंध हिंदी में

Get here latest School , CBSE and Govt Jobs notification and articles in English and Hindi for Sarkari Naukari , Sarkari Result and Exam Preparation . Download the Jagran Josh Sarkari Naukri App .

• When is Raksha Bandhan celebrated? + Raksha Bandhan is usually celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravan. The exact date varies each year.
• What is the significance of the rakhi? + The rakhi is a sacred thread tied on the brother's wrist by his sister. It symbolizes the promise of protection and love between the siblings.
• India Post GDS Merit List 2024
• India Post GDS Result 2024
• UP Police Constable Admit Card 2024
• UGC NET Exam Analysis 2024
• UP Police Constable Mock Test
• India GDS Merit List 2024 PDF
• UGC NET June Exam 2024 Guidelines
• Independence Day Drawing
• Independence Day Speech
• India Post GDS Cut Off
• Education News

Latest Education News

India Post GDS Result 2024 OUT at indiapostgdsonline.gov.in: Download Circle-wise 1st Merit List Here

CISF Constable Fireman Recruitment Notification 2024 Soon at cisfrectt.cisf.gov.in, Check Eligibility, Selection Process

ISRO LPSC Recruitment 2024 Notification For Various Post 30 Vacancies, Apply Online

Punjab Police Answer Key 2024 OUT at punjabpolice.gov.in: Submit Constable Objection Here

Optical Illusion: You have HD eyes if you can find the hidden pencil in 5 seconds!

MPBSE Class 11 Subject Wise Syllabus 2024-25: Download MP Board Detailed PDF Here!

MPBSE Class 11 Biology Syllabus 2024-25: Download MP Board Marking Scheme PDF

भारत की प्रमुख पर्वत श्रेणियां कौन-सी हैं, यहां पढ़ें

NABARD Grade A Salary 2024: Check Pay Structure, Job Profile and Allowances

National Space Day Quiz Questions and Answers For School Students

JNTUH Manabadi Result 2024 OUT at jntuh.ac.in; Direct Link to Download Latest UG and PG Marksheet

KPSC KAS Exam Hall Ticket 2024 Out at kpsconline.karnataka.gov.in: Direct Link to Download Admit Card

Shraddha Kapoor Surpasses PM Modi on Instagram: Check Most Followed Indian Celebrities

NEET PG 2024 Result LIVE: NBEMS to Release NEET Medical Exam Results Soon at natboard.edu.in, Check Steps to Download Merit List PDF

Today Current Affairs One Liners: 21 August 2024- Paris Paralympics 2024

Madhya Pradesh MP Board Class 12 English Syllabus 2024-25: Download Syllabus PDF For Free!

NEET PG Exam Analysis 2024: Check Shift 1 and Shift 2 Question Paper Review, Difficulty Level, Good Attempts

ISC Biotechnology Specimen Paper 2024-25: CISCE Class 12 Biotechnology Sample Paper, Download PDF

Sikkim University Result 2024 OUT at cus.ac.in; Direct Link to Download UG and PG Marksheet

Today’s School Assembly Headlines (22nd August): PM Modi Arrives In Warsaw, 1st Visit By Indian Prime Minister In 45 Years, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh To Visit U.S. As Mega Defence!

10 Moments of Beauty at the Paris Olympics

The Summer Games are known for athletic excellence, but they provide plenty of aesthetic excellence along the way.

Léon Marchand and the rest of the Olympians at the Paris Games have put on a show — in more ways than one. Credit... James Hill for The New York Times

Supported by

• Share full article

By Sadiba Hasan

• Published Aug. 9, 2024 Updated Aug. 12, 2024

Some people watch the Olympics for the events. Others watch for the hot athletes.

This is nothing new. Going all the way back to the first century, the orator Dio Chrysostom praised the “beauty” of the boxer Melankomas, who competed in the ancient Greek athletic games .

That same feeling resonates in 2024. A number of participants in the Paris Summer Olympics have distinguished themselves for things beyond their athletic talent. In an extreme case, a pole-vaulter gained a great deal of attention — some might say notoriety — for failing in a unique way. Others caught the public’s attention through moments of love or kindness — a different but equally palpable form of beauty.

There are numerous options to choose from, but here are 10 moments of beauty at the games.

Swimmers and Their Abs

After Italy won bronze in the 4 × 100-meter freestyle relay on July 27, the Italian swimmer Thomas Ceccon, 23, raised his arms in celebration. In doing so, he unintentionally bared his well-cut abs , which had many thirsting on the internet .

(Ceccon, who won gold in the 100-meter backstroke, was later found sleeping on the ground next to a bench in Olympic Village after he had complained about the conditions at the village.)

Triple Play

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and  log into  your Times account, or  subscribe  for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber?  Log in .

Want all of The Times?  Subscribe .

Advertisement