Just Vocabulary | ESL Podcast for learning SAT and GRE vocabulary

Empirical (adjective) Definition: Based on observation, experience, or experimentation (rather than on theory or speculation) Example Sentences: – People are generally more prone to listen to advice based on empirical evidence. – She tried to...

Widespread (adjective) Definition: 1. common and occurring widely or affecting many people or places; 2. spread far apart Example Sentences: – The region has been plagued with widespread mudslides due to the unusually heavy rainfall....

Apposite (adjective) Definition: Highly appropriate and well-suited to the circumstance. Example Sentences: – Since her research was apposite to the topic of the conference, the committee accepted her paper. – Child development is an apposite...

Nest (verb / noun) Definition: 1. to fit snugly together or inside one another; 2. to make a comfortable home or make oneself comfortable; 3. to occupy a nest and rear children Example Sentences: –...

Multifarious (adjective) Definition: having many diverse elements, parts, members, or components. Multifarious is similar to multi-faceted and has a similar meaning. In both cases, the prefix multi- means “many.” Multifarious refers to anything varied and...

Precedence (noun) Definition: Having importance or priority Example Sentences: – You can’t have a value structure without a hierarchy. They’re the same thing because a value structure means one thing takes precedence over another. –...

Snide (adjective) Definition: Insulting or critical in a sarcastic or indirect way. You may have heard the phrase “snide remark.” This usually refers to indirect, and often sarcastic, criticism. If someone is snide, he or...

Loiter (verb) Definition: 1. to stand around or hang out in an area, without a reason for being there; 2. to move unnecessarily slowly Example Sentences: – The police officer asked the teenagers not to...

Befitting (adjective) Definition: suitable, fitting, or appropriate to Example Sentences: – It was a very elegant and opulent dinner, with a table setting that was befitting a king. – The Prime Minister was greeted by...

Dissipation (noun) Definition: 1. dispersion, scattering, or disappearance; 2. wasteful indulgence Example Sentences: – “Meditation is the emptying of the mind of all thought, for thought and feeling dissipate energy“ – Karen’s anger dissipated after...

Supercilious (adjective) Definition: 1. showing haughty superiority over someone else; 2. characterized by or expressive of contempt Example Sentences: – Janet’s boss spoke in a supercilious tone that was patronizing to everyone. – Jerry’s supercilious...

Formal (adjective) Definition: 1. following established rules, traditions, or conventions; 2. done in an organized and methodical manner; 3. in language, used in a serious or official context, but not in everyday speech; 4. refined...

Harness (verb) Definition: 1. to control and direct something for a purpose; 2. to keep something in check; 3. to put a harness (straps) on an animal Example Sentences: – You should harness your excitement...

Exult (verb) Definition: 1. to feel or express great joy or elation; 2. to be triumphant over someone else’s unhappiness Example Sentences: – Steve Jobs used his keynote speech to the press to exult about...

Jovial (adjective) Definition: Friendly and cheerful,  Think of the related noun joy, which means “something that gives pleasure.” Jovial describes personalities or moods that are joyful. It is a good compliment for someone who is...