A A B B C C D C E E F F G G H H I I J J K K L L M M N N O O P P Q Q R R S S T T U U V V W W X X Y Y Z Z

Note: Click on image to find a detailed meaning.

earmark set aside (money or time) for a particular purpose
earn gain for the performance of service or labor; gain (something that one deserves); deserve
earthly of this earth; terrestrial; worldly; not divine; possible; Ex. no earthly reason
earthy unrefined; coarse; of earth; Ex. earthy remarks; OP. ethereal
ebb (of the tide) recede; lessen; diminish; N. OP. flow: rise of tide
ebullient showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm; boiling; N. ebullience; N. ebullition: state of boiling
eccentric irregular; odd; unconventional; whimsical; bizarre; not concentric
eccentricity oddity; idiosyncrasy
ecclesiastic ecclesiastical; pertaining to the church; N: minister; priest; cleric; clergyman
eclectic selective; composed of elements drawn from disparate sources; selecting individual elements from a variety of sources; N. eclecticism
eclipse darken; extinguish; outshine; surpass; cause an eclipse
ecliptic path of the sun and the planets

ecologist
person concerned with the interrelationship between living organisms and their environment;

economy efficiency or conciseness in using something; thrifty management of resources
ecosystem ecological community together with its environment
ecstasy rapture; very strong feeling of joy and happiness; any overpowering emotion; ADJ. ecstatic: causing or experiencing ecstasy
eddy swirling current of water, air, etc.; V.
edict decree (especially one issued by a sovereign); official command
edifice building (of imposing size)
edify instruct; correct morally
eerie weird; causing fear because strange

efface
rub out; remove the surface of

effective effectual; producing a strong response; striking; in operation; in effect; Ex. effective speech/photograph
effectual able to produce a desired effect; valid
effectuate effect; produce; achieve; Ex. effectuate a reconciliation
effeminate having womanly traits
effervescence inner excitement or exuberance; showing high spirits; emitting bubbles forming inside; bubbling from fermentation or carbonation; ADJ. effervescent; V. effervesce
effete having lost one’s original power; barren; worn out; exhausted

efficacy
power to produce desired effect; ADJ. efficacious: effectual

effigy dummy; likeness of a person made of wood, paper, or stone; Ex. burn an effigy of the President
effluvium noxious(harmful) smell
effrontery rudeness without any sense of shame; shameless boldness; presumptousness; nerve; cheek
effulgent shining brightly; brilliant
effusion pouring forth; unrestrained outpouring of feeling; V. effuse: pour out; ADJ. effusive: pouring forth; gushing
ego one’s opinion of oneself; self-esteem
egoism excessive interest in one’s self; belief that one should be interested in one’s self rather than in others; selfishness; ADJ. egoistic, egoistical
egotism tendency to speak or write of oneself excessively; conceit; self-importance

egotistical
egotistic; excessively self-centered(egocentric); self-important; conceited

egregious notorious; conspicuously bad or shocking
egress exit; opening for going out; act of going out; OP. ingress
ejaculation exclamation; abrupt ejection (to discharge sperm); V. ejaculate
elaborate work out carefully; add more detail or information; ADJ.
elaboration addition of details; intricacy
elastic able to spring back into shape; quick to recover (as from disappointment); able to adapt to change; Ex. elastic plans; N: elastic material
elated filled with excited joy and pride; overjoyed; in high spirits; joyful and proud; Ex. elated crowd; V. elate; N. elation
elegy poem or song expressing lamentation (for the dead); ADJ. elegiacal, elegiac
elevation elevated position; altitude; height; flat upright side of a building; angle made by pointing a gun; Ex. The elevation of her style is much admired; Ex. front elevation of the house
elicit draw out fact or information (by discussion or from someone)

elixir
cure-all; panacea; something invigorating

ellipsis omission of words from a text; mark used to indicate an omission (when the meaning can be understood without them); PL. ellipses
elliptical elliptic; oval; of an ellipse; containing an ellipsis; ambiguous either purposely or because key words have been left out
elope run away secretly with the intention of getting married
eloquence expressiveness; persuasive speech; ADJ. eloquent: movingly expressive; expressing ideas well so that the hearers can be influeneced
elucidate explain; make clear; clarify; enlighten; CF. lucid
elusive evasive; not frank; baffling; hard to grasp, catch, or understand; V. elude: escape from; escape the understanding or grasp of; Ex. elude the hunter; Ex. His name eludes me.
elysian relating to paradise; blissful
Elysium place or condition of bliss
emaciated thin and wasted (from hunger or illness)

emanate
issue forth; come out

emancipate set free; liberate
emasculate weaken; castrate
embargo ban on commerce or other activity
embark commence; go on board a boat; begin a journey
embed(imbed) enclose; place in something; fix firmly in a surrounding mass
embellish adorn; ornament; enhance as a story (by adding fictitious details)
embezzlement taking for one’s own use in violation of trust; stealing (of money placed in one’s care)
embitter make bitter; fill with painful or bitter feelings; make sad and angry; Ex. He was embittered by many disappointments.
emblazon ornament richly (a shield or flag); N. emblazonment
embody give a bodily form to; incorporate; include
emboss produce a design in raised relief; decorate with a raised design
embrace hug; clasp with the arms; adopt or espouse; accept readily; encircle; include; Ex. embrace the cause/socialism; Ex. all-embracing; CF. brace; CF. bracelet
embroider decorate with needlework; ornament (a story) with fancy or fictitious details; embellish

embroil
throw into confusion; involve in strife, dispute, or quarrel; entangle; CF. imbroglio

embryonic undeveloped; rudimentary; N. embryo: organism in the early stage of development
emend correct (usually a text); N. emendation: correction of errors; improvement
emetic substance causing vomiting; ADJ.
eminent rising above others; high; lofty; distinguished; Ex. eminent position
emissary agent (sent on a mission to represent another); messenger
emollient soothing or softening remedy (for the skin); ADJ.
emolument salary; payment for an office; compensation
empathy ability to identify with another’s feelings, ideas, etc.; identification with and understanding of another’s feelings; V. empathize; CF. sympathy
empirical based on experience
emulate imitate; rival; try to equal or excel (through imitation)
enact make (a bill) into law
enamored in love; Ex. enamored of his own beauty; V. enamor: inspire with love

encipher
encode; convert a message into code; put into cipher

encircle surround
enclave territory enclosed within an alien land
encomiastic praising; eulogistic; N. encomium: very high praise; eulogy
encompass surround; include; Ex. His activities encompass publishing and computers.
encroachment gradual intrusion; Ex. I resent all these encroachments on my valuable time; V. encroach: take another’s possessions or right gradually or stealthily; intrude; Ex. encroach on/upon
encumber burden; N. encumbrance
endear make beloved; Ex. endear her to everyone; ADJ. dear: loved; cherished; high-priced
endearment fond word or act; expression of affection

endemic
prevailing among a specific group of people or in a specific area or country; peculiar to a particular region or people; CF. pandemic

endorse approve; support; write one’s signature on the back of; N. endorsement; CF. dorsal
endue provide with some quality; endow
lasting; surviving; V. endure: bear (pain or suffering) for a long time; remain alive (in spite of difficulties); last; survive
energize invigorate; give energy to; make forceful and active
enervate weaken; take away energy from
enfranchise admit to the rights of citizenship (especially the right to vote); CF. franchise
engage attract; employ; hire; pledge oneself; confront; fight; enter into confliction; interlock; lock together; participate; N. engagement: agreement to marry; arrangement to meet someone or to do something; battle
engaged employed; busy; betrothed; involved in conflict
engaging charming; attractive
engender cause; produce; give rise to
engross occupy fully; absorb
engulf surround and swallow up
enhance increase; make greater (as in value, reputation, or usefulness); improve
enigma puzzle; mystery; ADJ. enigmatic: obscure; puzzling
enjoin command; order; forbid

enlist
(cause to) join the armed forces; obtain (help, sympathy, or support)

enliven make lively or spirited; animate
enmity ill will; hatred; hostility
ennui boredom; listlessness and dissatisfaction resulting from lack of interest; CF. annoy
enormity hugeness (in a bad sense); excessive wickedness; Ex. enormity of the crime; ADJ. enormous
enrapture please intensely; fill with rapture and delight
ensconce settle comfortably; place comfortably (in a secure place)
ensue follow (as a result)
entail make necessary; require; necessitate; involve; limit the inheritance of (property) to a specified succession of heirs; Ex. entail A on/upon B
enterprise willingness to take new ventures; initiative; business organization; plan (that is difficult or daring); Ex. their latest enterprise to sail round the world in a small boat
enterprising full of initiative; showing enterprise
enthrall capture; enslave; captivate; hold the complete attention of (as if magic); hold spellbound
entice lure; persuade to do (something wrong); attract; tempt
entity real being
entomology study of insects
entourage group of attendants; retinue; CF. surround
entrance put under a spell(condition caused by magical power); carry away(fill with strong feeling) with emotion; put into a trance; fill with delight
entreat plead; ask earnestly
entree(entr\’ee) entrance; a way in; right to enter; main dish of a meal; Ex. entree into the exclusive circle
entrepreneur businessperson (who assumes the risk of a business venture); contractor; ADJ. entrepreneurial
enumerate list; mention one by one

enunciate
announce; proclaim; utter or speak, especially distinctly; pronounce clearly; articulate; Ex. This theory was first enunciated by him.

environ enclose; surround; N. environs: surrounding area (as of a city)
eon(aeon) long period of time; an age; longest division of geologic time containing two or more eras
epaulet(epaulette) ornament worn on the shoulder (of a uniform, etc.)
ephemeral short-lived; fleeting
epic long heroic poem, novel, or similar work of art (celebrating the feats of a hero); ADJ: (of stories or events) resembling an epic; grand
epicure connoisseur of food and drink; gourmet; ADJ. epicurean; CF. Epicurus
epicurean believing that pleasure is good and suffering is bad and should be avoided; N.
epigram witty thought or saying, usually short
epilogue short speech at conclusion of dramatic work
episodic (of a story or play) loosely connected; made up of separate and loosely connected parts; N. episode: incident in the course of an experience
epistemologist philosopher who studies the nature of knowledge; N. epistemology
epitaph inscription in memory of a dead person (as on a tombstone)
epithet word or phrase characteristically used to describe a person or thing; descriptive phrase to characterize a person (often contemptous)
epitome perfect example or embodiment; brief summary; Ex. epitome of good manners; V. epitomize: make an epitome of; be an epitome of; embody
epoch period of time
equable tranquil; of even calm temper; (of temperature) steady; uniform
equanimity calmness of temperament; composure
equestrian rider on horseback; ADJ.
equilibrium balance of opposing forces; balance of the mind; equanimity
equine resembling a horse; Ex. equine face

equinox
period of equal days and nights; the beginning of spring and autumn; Ex. vernal/autumnal equinox; ADJ. equinoctial

equipoise balance; balancing force; equilibrium
equitable fair; impartial; OP. inequitable
equity fairness; justice; OP. inequity
equivocal (of words or statements) ambiguous; intentionally misleading; (of behavior) questionable; OP. unequivocal
equivocate use equivocal language to deceive people; lie; mislead; attempt to conceal the truth; N. equivocation
erode eat away; wear away gradually by abrasion; Ex. The sea erodes the rocks.
erotic pertaining to passionate love or sexual love
errant wandering (esp. in search of adventure); straying from proper moral standards; Ex. knight-errant
erratic odd; irregular in movement or behavior; unpredictable
erroneous mistaken; wrong; incorrect
erudite (of a person or book) learned; full of learning; scholarly; N. erudition

escapade
prank; flighty conduct; reckless adventure that disobeys rules

eschew avoid habitually; Ex. eschew alcoholic drinks
esoteric hard to understand; known only to the chosen few, esp. initiates; N. esoterica
espionage spying
espouse adopt; support (an idea or aim); marry; N. espousal
esteem respect; value; judge; N.
estimable (of a person) worthy of esteem; admirable; deserving esteem; possible to estimate
estranged separated; alienated; V. estrange: alienate (people in a family); N. estrangement
ethereal like a spirit or fairy; unearthly light; heavenly; unusually refined; Ex. She has an ethereal beauty; CF. ether: upper air
ethnic relating to races
ethnology study of humankind; study of the different races of human beings; CF. anthropology
ethos underlying character of a culture, group, etc.; character or ideas peculiar to a specific person, group, or culture; Ex. the company ethos
etymology study of word parts; study of the origins of words
eugenic pertaining to the improvement of race; N. eugenics: study of hereditary improvement of the human race
eulogistic praising; full of eulogy
eulogy expression of praise, often on the occasion of someone’s death; V. eulogize
euphemism mild expression in place of an unpleasant one; ADJ. euphemistic
euphony sweet sound; ADJ. euphonious
euphoria feeling of exaggerated or unfounded(ungrounded; baseless) well-being; feeling of great happiness or well-being (when unreasonable); ADJ. euphoriaric
euthanasia mercy killing
evanescent fleeting; vanishing; soon disappearing; V. evanesce
evasive not frank; trying to hide the truth; eluding; evading; V. evade: avoid (a duty or responsibility) or escape from by deceit
evenhanded impartial; fair
eventual happening at last as a result; Ex. eventual victory
evince show clearly
evocative tending to call up (emotions, memories)
evoke call forth (memory or feeling); Ex. That old film evoked memories of my childhood; N. evocation
ewe female sheep
exacerbate worsen; aggravate; embitter

exact
demand and obtain by force; Ex. exact a promise from him; N. exaction

exacting extremely demanding; Ex. exacting standard of safety
exalt raise in rank or dignity; praise highly; inspire; Ex. exalt the imagination; ADJ. exalted; N. exaltation
exasperate vex; annoy or make angry (by testing the patience)
except exclude; N. exception: objection; exclusion; ADJ. exceptional: unusual; of unusually high quality
exceptionable objectionable; likely to cause dislike; offensive; CF. unexceptionable: entirely acceptable

excerpt
selected passage (written or musical) taken from a longer work

exchequer treasury; Ex. Chancellor of the exchequer
excise cut away; cut out; N: government tax on good produced and used inside a country; N. excision
exclaim cry out suddenly; N. exclamation; ADJ. exclamatory
excoriate scold with biting harshness; censure strongly; strip the skin off
exculpate clear from blame or guilt
execrable very bad; detestable
execrate curse; express abhorrence for; detest
execute put into effect; carry out; kill as a lawful punishment; N. execution
executioner person administering capital punishment
executive person having administrative authority; one branch of government executing laws; ADJ: relating to executing
executor person designated to execute the terms of a will;
exegesis explanation, especially of biblical(of the bible) passages
exemplary serving as a model; outstanding; Ex. exemplary punishment/behavior; N. exemplar: typical example; model
exemplify show by example; furnish an example; serve as an example of; Ex. His pictures exemplify that sort of painting.
exempt not subject to a duty or obligation; free from a duty; V.
exertion effort; expenditure of much physical work; V. exert oneself: make a great effort
exhale breathe out; OP. inhale
exhilarating invigorating and refreshing; cheering; V. exhilarate: make cheerful and excited; Ex. exhilarated by the ride in the sports car
exhort urge (by strong argument or advice); Ex. The general exhorted his men to fight bravely; N. exhortation
exhume dig out of the ground; remove from a grave
exigency urgent situation; ADJ. exigent
exiguous small in amount; minute

existential
pertaining to existence; pertaining to the philosophy of existentialism

exodus departure (of a large number of people)
exonerate acquit; exculpate; free from blame or guilt
exorbitant (of costs or demands) excessive; exceeding reasonable bounds
exorcise drive out evil spirits

exotic
not native; from another part of the world; strange; intriguingly unusual; Ex. exotic flower/dress

expansive (of a person) outgoing and sociable; broad and extensive; able to increase in size
expatiate talk at length; speak or write in detail
expatriate exile; someone who has withdrawn from his native land; V: exile; banish; leave one’s country
expedient suitable (for a particular purpose although not necessarily morally correct); practical; politic(prudent); N: something expedient
expedite hasten; make go faster
expeditious done with speed; quick; N. expedition
expenditure payment or expense; expending; something expended; output; Ex. receipt for the expenditure; Ex. expenditure of all the energy
expertise specialized knowledge (in a particular field); expert skill
expiate make amends for (a sin)
expletive meaningless word; interjection; profane oath; swear-word
explicate explain in detail; interpret; clarify; CF. explicable
explicit totally clear; definite; outspoken
exploit make use of, sometimes unjustly; N. exploitation
expos\’e public revelation of something discreditable
expository explanatory; serving to explain; N. exposition: explaining; exhibition
expostulation protest; remonstrance; reasoning with someone to correct or dissuade; V. expostulate
exposure risk, particularly of being exposed to disease or to the elements; unmasking; act of laying something open; Ex. exposure of governmental corruption
expound explain
expropriate take possession of (often for public use and without payment)
expunge cancel; remove a word or name (from a book or list); erase
expurgate clean; remove offensive parts of a book

exquisite
delicate; very finely made; extremely beautiful; Ex. exquisite piece of jewelry

extant (of something written or painted) still in existence
extemporaneous not planned; impromptu; extempore
extenuate weaken; mitigate; lessen the seriousness of (bad behavior)
extirpate root up; uproot; destroy completely
extol praise very highly; glorify
extort wring from; get money by threats, etc.; obtain by force or threats; CF. extortionate: exorbitant
extradition surrender of prisoner by one state to another; Ex. extradition treaty; V. extradite
extraneous not essential; irrelevant; superfluous; external; coming from the outside; Ex. extraneous
details/noise/to the subject
extrapolation projection; conjecture; V. extrapolate: infer (unknown information) from known information

extricate
free from an entanglement or difficulty; disentangle

extrinsic external; not essential or inherent; extraneous; OP. intrinsic
extrovert person interested mostly in external objects and actions
extrude force or push out; thrust out; shape (plastic or metal) by forcing through a die
exuberance overflowing abundance; joyful enthusiasm; flamboyance; lavishness; ADJ. exuberant: high-spirited and lively; growing abundantly and strongly
exude flow out slowly; discharge (gradually); give forth; N. exudation
exult rejoice

Barron’s GRE Word List Please click the link for which Barron’s wordlist you want to go.

A A B B C C D C E E F F G G H H I I J J K K L L M M N N O O P P Q Q R R S S T T U U V V W W X X Y Y Z Z

Note: Click on image to find a detailed meaning.

Share This