AP Vocabulary

1. AP Vocabulary from The Princeton Review’s Cracking the AP English Language and Composition Exam 2013

2. Are You Talkin’ to Me? assertion cogent coherent cohesive didactic discourse eloquence fluid implication lucid rhetoric

3. assertion uh SUR shun noun definition: a declaration or statement We could not believe John’s assertion that he had never seen Harry Potter.

4. cogent KOH jent adjective definition: convincing; reasonable Christina’s argument was so cogent that even her opponents had to agree with her.

5. coherent koh HEER ent adjective definition: logically connected The old prospector’s story was not coherent; he rambled on about different things that had nothing to do with one another.

6. cohesive koh HEE siv adjective definition: condition of sticking together Eric’s essay was cohesive because each point flowed nicely into the next point.

7. didactic dye DAK tik adjective definition: intended to instruct The tapes were entertaining and didactic because they amused and instructed the children.

8. discourse DIS kors noun definition: verbal expression or exchange; conversation Their discourse varied widely; they discussed everything from Chaucer to ice fishing.

9. eloquence EH lo kwens noun definition: the ability to speak vividly or persuasively Cicero’s eloquence is legendary; his speeches were well-crafted and convincing.

10. fluid FLOO id adjective definition: easily flowing The two old friends’ conversation was fluid; each of them was able to respond quickly and easily to what the other had to say.

11. implication im pli KAY shun noun definition: the act of suggesting or hinting When your mother asks, “Were you raised in a barn?” the implication is that you should close the door.

12. lucid LOO sid adjective definition: easily understood; clear Our teacher does a good job because he provides lucid explanations of difficult concepts.

13. rhetoric RET uh rik noun definition: the art of using language effectively and persuasively Because they are expected to make speeches, most politicians and lawyers are well versed in the art of rhetoric.

14. I’ll be the Judge of That arbiter biased exculpate impartial incontrovertible integrity objectivity plausible substantiated vindicated

15. arbiter AHR bih ter noun definition: a judge who decides a disputed issue An arbiter was hired to settle the Major League Baseball strike because the owners and players could not come to an agreement.

16. biased BYE ist adjective definition: prejudiced Judges should not be biased but should rather weigh the evidence fairly before making up their minds.

17. exculpate EKS kul payt verb definition: to free from guilt or blame When the gold coins discovered in his closet were found to be fake, Dr. Rideau was exculpated and the search for the real thief continued.

18. impartial im PAR shul adjective definition: not in favor of one side or the other; unbiased The umpire had a hard time remaining impartial; his son was pitching for the home team, and this made it difficult to call the game fairly.

19. incontrovertible in kahn truh VERT uh bul adjective definition: not able to be denied or disputed The videotype of the robbery provided incontrovertible evidence against the suspect--he was obviously guilty.

20. integrity in TEG rit ee noun definition: trustworthiness; completeness The integrity of the witness was called into question when her dislike for the defendant was revealed--some jurors suspected that she was not being entirely truthful.

21. objectivity ahb jek TIV ih tee noun definition: treating facts without influence from personal feelings or prejudices It is important that judges hear all cases with objectivity, so that their personal feelings do not affect their decision.

22. plausible PLAWZ ih bul adjective definition: seemingly valid or acceptable; credible Keith’s excuse that he missed school yesterday because he was captured by space aliens was not very plausible.

23. substantiated sub STAN shee ay tid adjective definition: supported with proof or evidence; verified The fingerprint evidence substantiated the detective’s claim that the suspect had been at the scene of the crime.

24. vindicated VIN duh kayt id adjective definition: freed from blame Mrs. Layton was finally vindicated after her husband admitted to the crime.

25. You’re so Vain condescending contemptuous despotic dictatorial disdain haughty imperious patronizing

26. condescending kahn de SEND ing adjective definition: treating people as weak or inferior Robert always looked down on his sister and treated her in a condescending manner.

27. contemptuous kuh TEMP choo us adjective definition: feeling hatred; scornful She was so contemptuous of people who wore fur that she sprayed red paint on them.

28. despotic des PAHT ik adjective definition: exercising absolute power; tyrannical He was a despotic ruler whose every law was enforced with threats of violence or death.

29. dictatorial dik tuh TOR ee ul adjective definition: domineering; oppressively overbearing The coach had a dictatorial manner and expected people to do whatever he demanded.

30. disdain dis DAYN noun definition: contempt, scorn I felt nothing but disdain for the person who stole my lunch--what a jerk!

31. haughty HAW tee adjective definition: arrogant; vainly proud His haughty manner made it clear that he thought he was better than everyone else.

32. imperious im PEER ee us adjective definition: arrogantly domineering or overbearing She had a very imperious way about her; she was bossy and treated everyone as if they were beneath her.

33. patronizing PAY truh ny zing adjective definition: treating in a condescending manner Patrick had such a patronizing attitude that he treated everyone around him like a bunch of little kids.

34. When the Going gets Tough convoluted cryptic futile impede obscure quandary

35. convoluted kahn vuh LOO tid adjective definition: intricate; complex The directions were so convoluted that we drove all around the city and got lost.

36. cryptic KRIP tik adjective definition: difficult to comprehend The writing on the walls of the crypt was cryptic; none of the scientists understood it.

37. futile FEW tul adjective definition: having no useful purpose; pointless It is futile to try to explain the difference between right and wrong to your pet.

38. impede im PEED verb definition: to slow the progress of The retreating army constructed barbed-wire fences and destroyed bridges to impede the advance of the enemy.

39. obscure ahb SKYUR verb definition: relatively unknown Scott constantly makes references to obscure cult films, and no one ever gets his jokes.

40. quandary KWAHN dree noun definition: a state of uncertainty or perplexity Ann was in a quandary because she had no soap with which to do her laundry.

41. I’m a Loser, Baby indolent insipid lament listless melancholy torpor

42. indolent IN duh lunt adjective definition: lazy Mr. Lan said his students were indolent because they had not done their homework.

43. insipid in SIP id adjective definition: uninteresting; unchallenging That insipid movie was so boring and predictable.

44. lament luh MENT verb definition: express grief for; mourn After Beowulf was killed by the dragon, the Geats wept and lamented his fate.

45. listless LIST luss adjective definition: lacking energy Because he is accustomed to an active lifestyle, Mark feels listless when he has nothing to do.

46. melancholy MEL un kaw lee adjective definition: sadness; depression Joy fell into a state of melancholy when her Arcade Fire CD got scratched.

47. torpor TOR per noun definition: laziness; inactivity; dullness The hot and humid day filled everyone with an activity-halting torpor.

48. Revolution alliance disparity impinge sanction servile suppressed

49. alliance uh LIE uhns noun definition: a union of two or more groups The two countries formed an alliance to stand against their common enemy.

50. disparity dis PAR uh tee noun definition: inequality in age, rank, or degree; difference There is a great disparity between rich and poor in many nations.