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Textbook
Welcome
1. Vocabulary approach
2. Quantitative reasoning
2.1 Quant intro
2.2 Arithmetic & algebra
2.2.1 Positive negative problems
2.2.2 Defined & undefined
2.2.3 GRE vocabulary list 01 (alacrity)
2.2.4 Odd even problems
2.2.5 GRE vocabulary list 02 (adulterate)
2.2.6 Algebra
2.2.7 Fraction math
2.2.8 GRE vocabulary list 03 (abstain)
2.2.9 Percent change
2.2.10 GRE vocabulary list 04 (anachronism)
2.2.11 Function problems
2.2.12 GRE vocabulary list 05 (ameliorate)
2.2.13 Divisors, prime factors, multiples
2.2.14 Greatest common factor (GCF) & Least common multiple (LCM)
2.2.15 GRE vocabulary list 06 (acumen)
2.2.16 Permutations and combinations
2.2.17 GRE vocabulary list 07 (aesthetic)
2.2.18 Decimals
2.2.19 GRE vocabulary list 08 (aggrandize)
2.2.20 FOIL and quadratic equations
2.2.21 GRE vocabulary list 09 (anodyne)
2.2.22 Exponent rules
2.2.23 GRE vocabulary list 10 (aberrant)
2.2.24 Square roots and radicals
2.2.25 Sequences
2.2.26 Venn diagrams & tables
2.2.27 Ratios
2.2.28 Mixtures
2.2.29 Probability
2.2.30 Algebra word problems
2.2.31 Number line, absolute value, inequalities
2.2.32 Simple and compound interest
2.2.33 System of linear equations (SOLE)
2.3 Statistics and data interpretation
2.4 Geometry
2.5 Strategies
3. Verbal reasoning
4. Analytical writing
Wrapping up
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2.2.15 GRE vocabulary list 06 (acumen)
Achievable GRE
2. Quantitative reasoning
2.2. Arithmetic & algebra

GRE vocabulary list 06 (acumen)

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Having a strong vocabulary is essential for a high GRE score. Based on our analysis, the words below are among the most commonly tested on the exam.

Flashcards can help you memorize definitions, but they don’t always show whether you can recognize a word in context. Use the quizzes to check that you can understand and apply these words the way the GRE expects.

Definitions

acumen

smartness

noun

shrewdness shown by keen insight

"Her political acumen helped her navigate such rough times gracefully."

"His business acumen propelled him to the top of the corporate ladder."

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

agog

eager

adverb

In a state of high anticipation, excitement, or interest.

"The fans were agog for the whole week, waiting for the next episode to be released."

"She was agog to show the new words she learned to her language partner."

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

ambivalent

unsure

adjective

Simultaneously experiencing or expressing opposing or contradictory feelings, beliefs, or motivations.

"The sports fan was ambivalent about the results of the game; he hated both teams equally."

"He felt ambivalent about his new job; he would make more money, but the job was less fulfilling."

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

auspicious

promising

adjective

Conducive to success.

"Her perfect grade on the first quiz was an auspicious start to the semester."

"The honeymoon was an auspicious start to a wonderful marriage."

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

beguile

deceive

verb

To deceive or delude.

"Don't be beguiled by his kind actions since the breakup; you know he will treat you poorly again once you get back together."

"He beguiled his enemies into thinking he was harmless."

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

connoisseur

expert judge

noun

an expert able to appreciate a field; especially in the fine arts

"The movie connoisseur was particularly critical of films made by this producer."

"Connoisseurs of classical paintings love to go to art museums."

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

denigrate

slander

verb

To treat as worthless; belittle, degrade or disparage.

"The manager denigrated his workers any opportunity he could; he even belittled them in front of customers."

"The doubtful person always denigrated his own abilities."

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

discrepancy

inconsistency

noun

An inconsistency between facts or sentiments.

"There was a clear discrepancy in the company's accounting; the employees all received a raise, yet the company costs remained consistent."

"There is a discrepancy between the original manuscript and the copy."

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

fervid

impassioned

adjective

characterized by intense emotion

"The young student had a fervid desire to learn."

"Their fervid enthusiasm could not be bridled."

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

foment

instigate

verb

To incite or cause troublesome acts; to encourage; to instigate.

"The spread of the recent tragic news will certainly foment unrest in the street."

"The small missile strike was meant to foment further conflict by provoking the enemy."

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

fortuitous

unexpected

adjective

Happening by chance; coming or occurring unexpectedly, or without any known cause; chance.

"It was a fortuitous coincidence that the future lovers randomly met at the train station."

"The cavalry came to save the day at a fortuitous moment."

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

gossamer

thin

adjective

Anything delicate, light and flimsy.

"The thin string was like a gossamer thread floating in the wind."

"The gossamer garment was silky and weightless."

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

hyperbole

exaggeration

noun

Deliberate exaggeration.

"The phrase "The heat is killing me" is a hyperbole."

"Hyperbole is expected in advertisements."

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

impediment

hindrance

noun

A hindrance; that which hinders progress.

"The prohibitive tariff was a great impediment to international trade."

"Distractions are an impediment to success."

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

ingenious

clever

adjective

showing inventiveness and skill

"The chess player had an ingenious approach to the game that made his style very difficult to counter."

"The engineer discovered an ingenious way for the machine to both work faster and save energy."

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

intractable

stubborn

adjective

Not easily governed, managed, or directed; indisposed to be taught, disciplined, or tamed; violent; stubborn; obstinate; refractory.

"The intractable cancerous mass would not respond to treatment."

"The intractable weeds could not be eradicated."

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

laud

praise

verb

praise, glorify, or honor

"The pedestrian was lauded for saving the child from running into the moving bus."

"The public lauded the hero for his brave acts."

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

nadir

base

noun

The lowest point; the time of greatest depression.

"His athletic career reached a nadir after he got a season-ending injury just before he planned to negotiate a new contract."

"The nadir of the valley rarely saw sunlight."

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

pedestrian

mundane

adjective

Lacking in distinction or imaginativeness; ordinary; commonplace; dull; insipid; prosaic.

"The lifeguard had an uneventful, pedestrian day at work."

"He had a pedestrian Midwest accent."

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

prescience

foresight

noun

the power to foresee the future

"Without the prescience to understand how your opponent will react, it can be difficult to play strategy board games successfully."

"His prescience showed when he bought stocks right before the price rose."

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

refute

discredit

verb

To prove (something) to be false or incorrect.

"The recordings refuted the defendant's claims that he never spoke on that subject before."

"The old academic studies have been refuted by new evidence."

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

salubrious

healthy

adjective

favorable to health of mind or body

"Spinach has many salubrious effects."

"The personal trainer had salubrious eating habits."

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

solicitous

concerned

adjective

full of anxiety and concern

"The solicitous mother constantly called her son, who was taking his first vacation outside the country all on his own."

"His mother asked him many solicitous questions before he went out with his friends."

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

tyro

novice

noun

someone new to a field or activity

"The tyro was only starting his second week in the office."

"One could see that he was a tyro rifleman; he barely knew how to reload the weapon."

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

ubiquitous

everywhere

adjective

Seeming to appear everywhere at the same time.

"Cafes are ubiquitous in most European cities."

"Smartphones went from being a luxury product to a way of life ubiquitous to almost all."

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

acumen

  • Keen insight; shrewdness
  • Smartness in practical matters

agog

  • High anticipation or excitement
  • Eager, intensely interested

ambivalent

  • Mixed or contradictory feelings
  • Simultaneous opposing motivations

auspicious

  • Conducive to success
  • Promising or favorable start

beguile

  • To deceive or delude
  • Mislead through charm or trickery

connoisseur

  • Expert judge, especially in fine arts
  • Appreciates subtleties in a field

denigrate

  • Belittle or disparage
  • Treat as worthless; slander

discrepancy

  • Inconsistency between facts or sentiments
  • Lack of agreement

fervid

  • Intense emotion or passion
  • Impassioned enthusiasm

foment

  • Instigate or incite trouble
  • Encourage unrest or conflict

fortuitous

  • Happening by chance
  • Unexpected, accidental occurrence

gossamer

  • Delicate, light, and flimsy
  • Thin or airy in texture

hyperbole

  • Deliberate exaggeration
  • Not meant to be taken literally

impediment

  • Hindrance or obstacle
  • Blocks progress

ingenious

  • Inventive and skillful
  • Clever in creating solutions

intractable

  • Stubborn, hard to manage
  • Not easily directed or taught

laud

  • Praise or glorify
  • Honor for achievements

nadir

  • Lowest point
  • Time of greatest depression

pedestrian

  • Ordinary, dull, or commonplace
  • Lacking imagination or distinction

prescience

  • Foresight; ability to foresee future
  • Anticipation of events

refute

  • Prove false or incorrect
  • Discredit an argument or claim

salubrious

  • Favorable to health
  • Promotes well-being

solicitous

  • Full of concern or anxiety
  • Attentively caring

tyro

  • Novice; beginner in a field
  • Inexperienced person

ubiquitous

  • Appearing everywhere at once
  • Widespread or omnipresent

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GRE vocabulary list 06 (acumen)

Having a strong vocabulary is essential for a high GRE score. Based on our analysis, the words below are among the most commonly tested on the exam.

Flashcards can help you memorize definitions, but they don’t always show whether you can recognize a word in context. Use the quizzes to check that you can understand and apply these words the way the GRE expects.

Definitions
Key points

acumen

  • Keen insight; shrewdness
  • Smartness in practical matters

agog

  • High anticipation or excitement
  • Eager, intensely interested

ambivalent

  • Mixed or contradictory feelings
  • Simultaneous opposing motivations

auspicious

  • Conducive to success
  • Promising or favorable start

beguile

  • To deceive or delude
  • Mislead through charm or trickery

connoisseur

  • Expert judge, especially in fine arts
  • Appreciates subtleties in a field

denigrate

  • Belittle or disparage
  • Treat as worthless; slander

discrepancy

  • Inconsistency between facts or sentiments
  • Lack of agreement

fervid

  • Intense emotion or passion
  • Impassioned enthusiasm

foment

  • Instigate or incite trouble
  • Encourage unrest or conflict

fortuitous

  • Happening by chance
  • Unexpected, accidental occurrence

gossamer

  • Delicate, light, and flimsy
  • Thin or airy in texture

hyperbole

  • Deliberate exaggeration
  • Not meant to be taken literally

impediment

  • Hindrance or obstacle
  • Blocks progress

ingenious

  • Inventive and skillful
  • Clever in creating solutions

intractable

  • Stubborn, hard to manage
  • Not easily directed or taught

laud

  • Praise or glorify
  • Honor for achievements

nadir

  • Lowest point
  • Time of greatest depression

pedestrian

  • Ordinary, dull, or commonplace
  • Lacking imagination or distinction

prescience

  • Foresight; ability to foresee future
  • Anticipation of events

refute

  • Prove false or incorrect
  • Discredit an argument or claim

salubrious

  • Favorable to health
  • Promotes well-being

solicitous

  • Full of concern or anxiety
  • Attentively caring

tyro

  • Novice; beginner in a field
  • Inexperienced person

ubiquitous

  • Appearing everywhere at once
  • Widespread or omnipresent