Commonly Tested Vocabulary Words Help

Commonly Tested Words

anomaly        
(noun)
abnormality; irregularity; deviation from the norm or usual
The one year the company did not break even was just an _____.

badinage        
(noun)
playful and joking conversation or banter
The two men never met without beginning a little _____ that entertained us all.

brusque        
(adj.)
abrupt, blunt, or short in manner or speech
His _____ manner was often mistaken for rudeness by people who did not know him better.

cower        
(verb)
to shrink and tremble, as from someone's anger or threats; to cringe
It was unnerving to watch the dog _____ in the corner when he misbehaved.

diffident        
(adj.)
modest, shy, reserved, bashful, humble
Her _____ smile seemed to indicate that she would dance if only someone would encourage her.

dross      
(noun)
the worthless part of something that is separated from the better part; waste; garbage
The cook trimmed the fillet and swept the _____ away.

extricate      
(verb)
to set free or release; to disentangle, as from a difficulty or embarrassment
She hung up the phone and wondered how she would ever _____ herself from really having to attend the luncheon.

fodder      
(noun)
dry, coarse food for cattle, horses, or sheep, like hay or straw; often also used in expressions unrelated to animals
We were waiting by the barn for the new _____ to be delivered.

garrulous      
(adj.)
overly talkative about unimportant things; chattering
I regretted striking up a conversation with him when I remembered how _____ he can be.

hyperbole      
(noun)
exaggeration for effect, not to be taken literally
He often spoke with _____, as when he said he was so hungry he could eat a horse.

malapropism      
(noun)
a ridiculous or humorous misuse of words, usually due to a resemblance in sound
She was quite amusing with her frequent _____(s), like when she excused herself from the table to go to the laboratory.

pertinacity      
(noun)
firm or unyielding adherence to some purpose; stubbornness; persistence
No matter what anyone said, there was no way to reason with his _____.

pertinacity      
(noun)
firm or unyielding adherence to some purpose; stubbornness; persistence
No matter what anyone said, there was no way to reason with his _____.

plausible      
(adj.)
seemingly true and acceptable, but usually used with implied disbelief; possible
The excuse seemed _____, so we had to accept their apology for not attending our dinner party.

prehensile      
(adj.)
adapted to grasp, seize, or hold
Chimpanzees and humans both have a _____ hand.

rancor      
(noun)
a continuing and bitter hatred or ill will
The negotiators worked for peace among the opposing factions, despite their obvious _____.

resolute      
(adj.)
determined; firm of purpose; resolved
I would try to stop you, but I can see you are _____ in your decision.

ruminate      
(verb)
to meditate on or ponder something; to think over
One could see him _____ over the question for a few moments before he answered.

simian      
(adj.)
dealing with apes or monkeys; apelike
The researcher was investigating several aspects of _____ behavior.

stolid      
(adj.)
showing little or no emotion or awareness; unexcitable; expressionless
We wondered how he could remain so _____ upon hearing such awful news.

succor      
(noun)
aid; help; assistance, especially that which relieves and ends stress, need, or a difficulty
She gladly offered _____ when he had nowhere else to turn.

Practice exercises for this study guide can be found at: Commonly Tested Words Practice