Word List – Spell it right!

2018

abacus frame with balls for calculating alloy to debase by mixing with something inferior
abate to lessen to subside aloof reserved indifferent
abdication giving up control authority amalgamate mix combine unite societies
aberration straying away from what is normal ambidextrous able to use the left hand or the right equally well
abet help/encourage smb (in doing wrong) ambiguous doubtful uncertain
abeyance suspended action ambivalent having both of two contrary meanings
abhor to hate to detest ameliorate improve make better
abide be faithful to endure amortize end (a debt) by setting aside money
abjure promise or swear to give up anguish severe suffering
abraded rubbed off worn away by friction animosity strong dislike
abrogate repeal or annul by authority antidote medicine used against a poison or a disease
abscond to go away suddenly (to avoid arrest) antithetical direct opposing
abstruse difficult to comprehend obscure apartheid brutal racial discrimination
abut border on aplomb self-confidence
abysmal bottomless extreme one who abandons long-held religious or political
acarpous effete no longer fertile worn out apostate convictions
acclaimed welcomed with shouts and approval apotheosis deification glorification to godliness
accolade praise approval appease make quiet or calm
accretion the growing of separate things into one grasping understanding fear unhappy feeling about
adamant kind of stone inflexible apprehensive future
admonitory containing warning apprise give notice to inform
adorn add beauty decorate approbation approval
adulteration making unpure poorer in quality apropos appropriate to the situation apt
affable polite and friendly apt well-suited quick-witted
affinity close connection relationship arabesque a complex ornate design
aggravate make worse irritate arboreal of connected with trees
agile active quick-moving ardor enthusiasm
agog eager/excited arduous steep difficult ascent laborious
ail trouble be ill argot jargon slang
alacrity eager and cheerful readiness arrant in the highest degree
alcove recess/partially enclosed place arrogance proud superior manner of behaviour
allegiance duty support loyalty articulate speak distinctly connect by joints
alleviate make (pain) easier to bear ascend go or come up
 Word List – Spell it right! 2018

ascertain get to know bedizen to adorn especially in a cheap showy manner

ascetic practicing self-denial austere stark belabor beat hard
ascribe consider to be the origin of or belonging to bellicose belligerent pugnacious warlike
aseptic surgically clean belligerent (person nation) waging war
asperity roughness harshness ill temper irritability benefactor person who has given help
aspersion slander benevolence wish or activity in doing good
assail with attack violently benign kind and gentle mild (climate)
assiduous diligent hard-working sedulous bequest arrangement to give smth at death
assuage make smth (pain desire) less berate scold sharply
asterisk the mark * (e.g.. omitted letters) bereft rob or dispossess of smth (material)
astringent substance that shrinks bewilder puzzle confuse
astute clever quick at seeing to get an advantage bigot stubborn narrow-minded person
atonement repayment death of Jesus bilge bulge the protuberance of a cask
attenuate make thin. weaken enervate blandishment flattery coaxing
attune bring into harmony blandness polite manner comforting uninteresting
audacious daring foolishly bold impudent blatant noisy and rough
augury omen sign blithe cheerful casual carefree
august majestic venerable bogus sham counterfeit not genuine
auspicious favorable successful prosperous boisterous loud noisy rough lacking restraint
austere severely moral and strict simple and plain bolster give greatly needed support
auxiliary helping supporting boorish crude offensive rude
aver affirm assert prove justify brash hasty rush cheeky saucy
aversion strong dislike brass yellow metal (mixing copper and zinc)
avid eager greedy brazen made of brass
avow admit. Declare openly breach opening broken place breaking
baleful harmful ominous causing evil brittle easily broken
balk obstacle purposely to get on the way of broach bring up announce begin to talk about
baneful causing harm or ruin pernicious destructive brook to tolerate endure
barrage artificial obstacle built across a river buoyant able to float light-hearted
not good enough unable to have young ones burgeon grow forth send out buds
barren without value burnish to polish rub to a shine
bask in enjoy warmth and light
beatify to bless make happy or ascribe a virtue to