ChatBarron’s GRE Word List I
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.
Ichthyology
study of fish; CF. ichthyo-: fish
icon(ikon) religious image; idol; image or representation
iconoclastic attacking cherished traditions; N. iconoclast: one who attacks traditional ideas; one who destroys sacred images
ideology system of ideas characteristic of a group or culture
idiom expression whose meaning as a whole differs from the meanings of its individual words; distinctive style (of expression); Ex. idiom of the modern popular music; ADJ. idiomatic
idiosyncrasy individual trait usually odd in nature; behavioral peculiarity; eccentricity; attitude, behavior, or opinion peculiar to a person; anything highly individual or eccentric; ADJ. idiosyncratic
idle not working; not employed or busy; lazy; without purpose; useless; lacking substance; baseless; not based on truth; Ex. idle worker; Ex. talk idly; V.
idolatry worship of idols; excessive admiration or devotion; ADJ. idolatrous
idyll(idyl) short poem idealizing rural life; simple happy period of life (in the country); scene from such a time; Ex. idyll of two young lovers
idyllic charmingly carefree; simple and happy; Ex. idyllic scene
igneous produced by fire; of fire; volcanic; (of rocks) formed from lava; Ex. igneous meteorite
ignite kindle; light; catch fire or set fire to
ignoble unworthy; not noble; dishonorable; Ex. ignoble deed
ignominy deep disgrace; shame or dishonor; ADJ. ignominious; Ex. ignominous defeat
illicit
illegal
illimitable infinite; limitless
illuminate brighten; clear up or make understandable; enlighten; enable to understand; Ex. illuminating remarks
illusion misleading vision or visual image; false idea or belief; CF. delusion
illusive deceiving; based on illusion; causing illusion; deceptive
illusory illusive; deceptive; not real
imbalance lack of balance or symmetry; disproportion
imbecility weakness of mind; state of being an imbecile; N. imbecile: stupid person; fool
imbibe drink in
imbroglio complicated situation (as in a play); painful or complex misunderstanding (as in a play); entanglement; confused mass (as of papers); V. embroil
imbue saturate(soak thoroughly); fill; Ex. imbue someone with feelings
immaculate spotless; flawless; absolutely clean
imminent impending; near at hand
immobility state of being immovable
immolate offer or kill as a sacrifice (by fire)
immune resistant to; free or exempt from; N. immunity
immure imprison; shut up in confinement; CF. wall
immutable unchangeable
impair injure; hurt; damage
impale pierce (with a sharp point); Ex. impaled by the spear
impalpable imperceptible(not easily understood); intangible; OP. palpable: tangible; easily perceptible
impart grant a share of; make known; Ex. news to impart
impartial not biased; fair; N. impartiality
impassable not able to be traveled or crossed
impasse predicament(dangerous condition) from which there is no escape; situation allowing for no further progress
impassioned (of speech) filled with passion; fervent
impassive without feeling; expressionless; imperturbable; stoical; Ex. impassive face
impeach charge (a public official) with crime in office; raise doubts about; indict; Ex. impeach a witness’s credibility
impeccable faultless
impecunious without money
impede hide; retard or obstruct the progress of; block
impediment hindrance; stumbling-block; speech defect preventing clear articulation; Ex. speech impediment
impel drive or force onward; drive to take action; urge to action
impending nearing; approaching; about to happen
impenetrable not able to be pierced or entered; beyond understanding; impossible to understand; Ex. impenetrable mystery
impenitent not repentant
imperative absolutely necessary; that must be done; critically important; expressing command; Ex. It is imperative that; N: something that must be done
imperceptible unnoticeable; impossible to perceive; undetectable
imperial like an emperor; related to an empire; CF. imperialism
imperil put in danger
imperious
domineering; too commanding; haughty; CF. imperial/emperor
impermeable impervious; not permitting passage through its substance; impossible to permeate
impersonal not being a person; not showing personal feelings; Ex. impersonal force/manner/organization
impertinent insolent; rude; not pertinent; N. impertinence
imperturbable unshakably calm; placid
impervious impenetrable; incapable of being damaged or distressed; incapable of being affected (in one’s opinions); Ex. impervious to water/criticism
impetuous violent; hasty; rash; impulsive; without careful thought; Ex. impetuous decision
impetus moving force; momentum; force of a moving body; incentive; stimulus; impulse
impiety irreverence; lack of respect for God or piety
impinge infringe; encroach; influence; touch; collide with; Ex. The effects are impinging on every aspect of our lives.
impious irreverent
implacable incapable of being pacified; impossible to appease; Ex. implacable enemy
implausible unlikely (to be true); unbelievable; Ex. implausible alibi
implement put into effect; enforce; carry out; supply with tools; Ex. implement the plan/suggestion; N: tool or instrument
implicate incriminate; involve incriminatingly; show to be involved (in a crime); Ex. implicate someone in the crime
implication something hinted at or suggested; implying; implicating
implicit understood but not stated; implied; unquestioning and complete; Ex. implicit trust
implode burst inward; CF. vaccum tube
implore v. ask or beg earnestly; beseech
imply suggest a meaning not expressed; signify
impolitic
not wise; not expedient; not politic
imponderable weightless; that cannot undergo precise evaluation; CF. pound
import significance; importance; meaning
importunate urging; always demanding; troublesomely urgent or persistent
importune beg persistently; make repeated requests (in an annoying way)
imposture assuming a false identity; masquerade; CF. impostor
impotent weak; ineffective; lacking in physical strength or power
impoverish make poor; deprive of natural strength or something important; Ex. impoverished soil
imprecation curse; swearword
impregnable invulnerable; impossible to capture or enter by force; Ex. impregnable fort/argument; CF. take
impregnate make pregnant; fill thoroughly; saturate
impromptu without previous preparation; off the cuff(end of a sleeve); on the spur of the moment
impropriety improperness; unsuitableness
improvident thriftless; not providing for the future
improvise compose on the spur of the moment
imprudent lacking caution; not prudent; injudicious
impudence impertinence; insolence
impugn dispute or contradict (often in an insulting way); attack as false or questionable; challenge; gainsay; CF. fight
impuissance powerlessness; feebleness
impunity freedom from punishment or harm; CF. punish
impute attribute; ascribe; charge; N. imputation
inadvertently unintentionally; by oversight; carelessly
inalienable not to be taken away; nontransferable; Ex. inalienable rights
inamorata woman whom a man loves
inane
silly; senseless; Ex. inane remarks; N. inanity
inanimate lifeless; not animate
inarticulate speechless; producing indistinct speech; not articulate; not expressing oneself clearly
inasmuch_as since; owing to the fact that
inaugurate begin formally; install in office; induct into office by a formal ceremony; N. inauguration; ADJ. inaugural
incandescent strikingly bright; shining with intense heat; emitting visible light when heated; Ex. incandescent light bulb; CF. candle
incantation singing or chanting of magic spells; magical formula; (the saying of) words used in magic; CF. enchant
incapacitate disable; N. incapacity: lack of capacity
incarcerate imprison
incarnate endowed with flesh; invested with bodily form; personified; Ex. devil incarnate; V: give bodily form to; embody
incarnation act of assuming a human body and human nature; one who personifies something; personification; Ex. previous incarnation/reincarnation
incendiary arsonist; ADJ: causing fire; of arson; Ex. incendiary bomb
incense enrage; infuriate(make furious); make extremely angry; outrage; N: aromatic substance burned to produce a pleasant odor
incentive spur; motive; something which encourages one to greater activity
inception start; beginning
incessant uninterrupted; unceasing
inchoate (of desire, wish, plan) recently begun; not explicit; at the beginning of development; rudimentary; elementary; Ex. inchoate mass
incidence rate of occurrence; particular occurrence; Ex. high incidence of infant mortality
incident event; event that causes a crisis
incidental not essential; minor; N: something incidental
incinerate burn to ashes
incipient beginning; in an early stage
incisive (appreciatively) cutting; sharp; Ex. incisive remarks; V. incise: make a cut into
incite arouse to action; goad; motivate; induce to exist; Ex. incite a riot/the crowd to rebellion
inclement stormy; unkind; unmerciful; CF. clement
incline slope; slant; Ex. steep incline
inclined tending or leaning toward; bent; V. incline: slant; dispose; be disposed; tend
inclusive tending to include all; all-inclusive; Ex. inclusive charge
incognito with identity concealed; using an assumed name; ADJ.
incoherent unintelligible; muddled; unable to express one’s thoughts in an orderly manner; illogical; lacking cohesion; not coherent
incommodious not spacious; inconvenient
incompatible inharmonious; N. incompatibility
incongruity lack of harmony; absurdity; ADJ. incongruous: lacking in harmony; inappropriate
inconsequential insignificant; unimportant
inconsistency state of being self-contradictory; lack of uniformity or steadiness; ADJ. inconsistent: displaying a lack of consistency; erratic; contradictory; incompatible
incontinent lacking self-restraint; not continent; licentious
incontrovertible indisputable; impossible to dispute; not open to question; unquestionable
incorporate introduce something into a larger whole; include; embody; give material form to; ADJ.
incorporeal without a material body; insubstantial
incorrigible uncorrectable
incredulity tendency to disbelief
incredulous withholding belief; skeptical; showing disbelief
increment increase
incriminate accuse of or implicate in a crime; serve as evidence against; cause to seem or make guilty of a crime; Ex. incriminating evidence
incrustation hard coating or crust; V. incrust: encrust; cover with a crust
incubate hatch; warm (eggs) with the body to promote hatching; maintain at optimal environment conditions for development; be holding in one’s body an infection which is going to develop into a disease; N. incubation; CF. incubation:disease
incubus burden; very worriying problem; mental care; nightmare; male devil; CF. succubus
inculcate teach (ideas or principles); instill
incumbent obligatory; imposed as an obligation; currently holding an office; N: person who holds an office
incur bring upon oneself
incursion temporary invasion; CF. excursion: short journey
indecision irresolution; inability to make up one’s mind
indecisive marked by indecision; inconclusive; Ex. indecisive battle
indefatigable tireless; untiring; showing no sign of getting tired
indelible not able to be erased
indemnify make secure against damage or loss; compensate for damage or loss; CF. make uninjured
indentation notch; deep recess; V. indent; CF. tooth
indenture bind as servant or apprentice to master; bind by indenture; N: contract binding one party into the service of another for a specified time (as between an apprentice and his master)
indeterminate uncertain; not clearly fixed; indefinite
indicative suggestive; implying; serving to indicate
indices signs; indications; Ex. indices of a student’s potential; CF. index: something that reveals or indicates; sign; Ex. cost-of-living index
indict charge; N. indictment
indifferent unmoved or unconcerned by; having no interest in; mediocre; neither good nor bad
indigence poverty
indigenous native; Ex. plant indigenous to the New World
indigent poor; destitute
indignation anger at an injustice; Ex. righteous indignation; ADJ. indignant
indignity treatment or situation that causes shame or loss of dignity, respect; offensive or insulting treatment; humiliating or degrading treatment; Ex. I suffered the indignity of having to say that in front of them.
indiscriminate choosing at random; confused; not based on careful distinctions
indisputable too certain to be disputed; beyond doubt
indissoluble permanent; impossible to dissolve or disintegrate
indite write; compose
indoctrinate cause to accept a doctrine without questioning it; Ex. indoctrinated with mindless anti-communism
indolent lazy
indomitable unconquerable; unyielding
indubitable unable to be doubted; which cannot be doubted; unquestionable
induce persuade; lead to do something; bring about; N. inducement
induct place formally in office; install; admit as a member; initiate; N. induction: inducting; process of deriving general principles from particular facts
inductive pertaining to induction or proceeding from the specific to the general
indulge yield to; gratify; allow oneself a special pleasure; Ex. indulge one’s every whim/a child/in a big cigarette; N. indulgence
indulgent humoring; yielding; lenient; showing indulgence
industrious diligent; hard-working; N. industry
inebriate make drunk; intoxicate; N. intoxicated person
inebriated habitually intoxicated; drunk; N. inebriety
ineffable unutterable; not to be uttered; taboo; that cannot be expressed in speech; indescribable; unspeakable; inexpressible; Ex. ineffable name/joy
ineffectual not effective; not having a desired effect; weak
ineluctable irresistible; not to be escaped; unavoidable
inept unsuited; inappropriate; lacking skill; incompetent; CF. inapt: (of statements or ideas) inappropriate
inequity unfairness; ADJ. inequitable
inerrancy infallibility
inert inactive; lacking power to move; unable to move or act; Ex. chemically inert; N. inertia: state of being inert; force which keeps a thing in the position or state
inestimable impossible to estimate; (apprec) invaluable; of immeasurable worth
inevitable unavoidable
inexorable relentless; unyielding; implacable; not capable of being changed by entreaty or efforts; Ex. inexorable price rises
inextricable from which it is impossible to get free; that cannot be untied; Ex. inextricable troubles; Ex. inextricable two histories
infallible unerring; never making mistakes
infamous notoriously bad; notorious; well known for being bad; Ex. infamous behavior; N: infamy: infamous act; evil fame or reputation
infantile childish; infantlike
infer deduce; conclude; N. inference
infernal pertaining to hell; devilish; N. inferno: place of fiery heat or destruction
infest inhabit in numbers large enough to be harmful; Ex. Mice infested the house; Ex. shark-infested waters
infidel unbeliever (with respect to a particular religion)
infiltrate pass into or through; penetrate or enter (an organization) sneakily; Ex. infiltrate the troops into enemy territory; CF. infiltrator
infinitesimal very small
infirmity weakness
inflated exaggerated; pompous; enlarged (with air or gas)
influx flowing into
infraction violation (of a rule or regulation); breach
infringe violate (a law); encroach (the right of another person)
ingenious marked by inventive skill; clever; resourceful; N. ingenuity
ingenue ing\’enue; young innocent girl
ingenuous naive and trusting; young; unsophisticated; candid
ingrained deeply established; firmly rooted; Ex. ingrained dirt/prejudice
ingrate ungrateful person (not expressing thanks)
ingratiate become popular with; bring (oneself) in favor of another; Ex. ingratiate himself with the boss
inherent firmly established by nature or habit; intrinsic
inhibit restrain; prohibit; retard or prevent; N. inhibition
inhibited (of a person) unable to express what one really feels
inimical (of someone) unfriendly; hostile; (of something) harmful; detrimental; CF. enemy
inimitable matchless; not able to be imitated
iniquitous wicked; immoral; unrighteous; N. iniquity; Ex. den of iniquity
initiate begin; originate; receive into a group; introduce to a new field or activity; Ex. initiate someone into the mysteries of a secret religion; N: one who has been initiated
injurious harmful; causing injury
inkling hint; slight indication
innate inborn
innocuous harmless
innovation change; something newly introduced; introduction of something new; V. innovate: begin or introduce (something new); be creative; ADJ. innovative
innuendo indirect or subtle (derogatory) hint; insinuation; Ex. sexual innuendo
inopportune untimely; inappropriate or ill-timed; poorly chosen
inordinate beyond reasonable limits; unrestrained; excessive; Ex. inordinate demands
inquisitive eager for knowledge; unduly curious
inquisitor questioner (especially harsh); investigator; person making an inquisition
inroad hostile invasion; advance that lessens the quantity or difficulty of something; Ex. The long illness made serious inroads on his savings; CF. raid
insalubrious unwholesome; not healthful; Ex. insalubrious place
insatiable not easily satisfied; unquenchable; Ex. insatiable appetite
inscrutable difficult to understand; impenetrable; not readily understood; mysterious
insensate without feeling; lacking sense; foolish
insensible unconscious; unresponsive; insensitive; unaware; imperceptible; Ex. insensible of his danger/to pain; Ex. insensible change; CF. not the opposite of sensible
insidious treacherous; stealthy; sly; working or spreading harmfully in a stealthy manner; Ex. insidious spreading of dry rot
insightful discerning; perceptive
insinuate hint; imply; suggest indirectly; creep in; introduce or insert (oneself) by artful means; Ex. insinuate himself into the boss’s favor; CF. ingratiate
insipid lacking in flavor; lacking interest; dull; Ex. insipid food/character
insolence impudent disrespect; haughtiness; ADJ. insolent; CF. haughty + rude
insolvent bankrupt; lacking money to pay; N. insolvency
insomnia wakefulness; inability to sleep
insouciant without concern or care; unconcerned; indifferent
instigate start; urge; provoke; incite; Ex. instigate a search/quarrel
institute organization for a special purpose; V: establish
institution instituting; (building for the) organization; established custom, practice, or relationship in a society; mental hospital; Ex. institution of marriage
institutionalize make into an institution; put or confine in an institution
insubordination disobedience; rebelliousness; ADJ. insubordinate
insubstantial lacking substance; insignificant; frail; immaterial
insularity narrow-mindedness; isolation; ADJ. insular: of an island; isolated; narrow-minded; CF. peninsula
insuperable insurmountable; unbeatable; Ex. insuperable difficulties
insurgent rebellious; N.
insurmountable overwhelming; unbeatable; insuperable
insurrection rebellion; uprising
intangible not able to be perceived by touch; vague
integral complete; necessary for completeness; Ex. integral part
integrate make whole; combine; make into one unit
integrity honesty; uprightness; wholeness; state of being whole and undivided; completeness
intellect higher mental powers; person of great intellectual ability
intelligentsia intellectuals; members of the educated elite (often used derogatorily)
inter bury; N. interment
interdict prohibit; forbid; N.
interim meantime; Ex. in the interim; ADJ. taking place during an interim; Ex. interim paper
interjection exclamation; Ex. “Ouch'’
interloper intruder; one who interferes
intermediary intermediate; acting as a mediator; N: mediator; go-between
interminable endless
intermittent periodic; on and off; stopping and starting at intervals
internecine mutually destructive
interpolate insert between
interregnum period between two successive reigns or governments
interrogate question closely; cross-examine; cross-question
interstice narrow space between things
intervene come between; interfere; Ex. intervened to prevent a fight; N. intervention
intimate hint; suggest; imply; ADJ: marked by close relationship; familiar; private; personal; Ex. intimate knowledge/thoughts in the diary; N: close friend or confidant; CF. intimacy
intimidate frighten; N. intimidation
intolerant not willing to accept ways of thinking different from one’s own; CF. tolerant; CF. tolerate
intoxicate make drunk; stimulate or excite; Ex. intoxicated by all the money he might win
intractable unruly; difficult to manage; Ex. intractable problem/child
intransigence refusal of any compromise; stubbornness; ADJ. intransigent: uncompromising
intrepid fearless
intrigue make secret plans; plot; arouse the curiosity of; N: secret scheme; plot; secret love affair
intrinsic essential; inherent; built-in
introspective looking within oneself; N. introspection: self-examination
introvert one who is introspective or inclined to think more about oneself; ADJ. introverted
intrude put or force in without being asked; trespass; enter as an uninvited person; Ex. intrude one’s own opinion into the report; CF. thrust in
intuition immediate insight; power of knowing without reasoning; ADJ. intuitive; V. intuit: know by intuition
inundate flood; overflow; submerge; cover completely; Ex. inundated with work
inured accustomed; hardened; Ex. inured to the Alaskan cold; V. inure: make used to something undesirable; harden; CF. unfeeling
invalid one incapacitated(disabled) by a chronic illness; ADJ: incapacitated by illness; not valid; null; V: allow to leave (a military force) because of ill-health
invalidate weaken; destroy; make invalid; nullify
invective abuse
inveigh denounce; utter censure or invective; Ex. inveigh against the evils of drink
inveigle deceive; lead astray by deception; wheedle(cajole); Ex. inveigle her into joining the club; CF. interest dishonestly
inverse opposite
invert turn upside down or inside out; reverse the position or condition of
inveterate deep-rooted; habitual; CF. grow old
invidious designed to create ill will or envy; tending to rouse ill will or envy; Ex. invidious comparison
invincible unconquerable
inviolable secure from corruption, attack, or violation(or profanation); unassailable; Ex. inviolable oath/rights; N. inviolability
invocation prayer for help (used in invoking); calling upon as a reference or support; act of invoking
invoke call and bring into use (a right or law); call on/upon (a higher power or god) for help; ask for; beg for; conjure (a spirit); Ex. invoke the veto power; Ex. invoke one’s advisor/God
invulnerable incapable of injury; impossible to damage or injure
iota very small quantity
irascible irritable; easily angered
irate angry; CF. ire: anger; wrath
iridescent exhibiting rainbowlike colors; Ex. iridescent oil slick; N. iridescence
irksome annoying; tedious; V. irk: annoy
ironic expressing irony; occurring in an unexpected and contrary manner
irony hidden sarcasm or satire; use of words that seem to mean the opposite of what they actually mean; use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning
irreconcilable impossible to reconcile; incompatible; not able to be resolved
irrefutable indisputable; incontrovertible; undeniable
irrelevant not applicable; unrelated
irremediable incurable; uncorrectable; impossible to remedy
irreparable not able to be corrected or repaired; impossible to repair
irrepressible unable to be restrained or held back; impossible to hold back
irreproachable beyond reproach; blameless; impeccable; Ex. irreproachable conduct
irresolute uncertain how to act; weak; lacking in resolution; indecisive; N. irresolution
irretrievable impossible to recover or regain; CF. retrieve
irreverence lack of proper respect or reverence; ADJ. irreverent
irrevocable unalterable; irreversible; impossible to revoke
isotope varying from of an element
isthmus narrow neck of land connecting two larger bodies of land
itinerant wandering; traveling from place to place (to perform work); Ex. itinerant preacher
itinerary plan of a trip; record of a trip
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.
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