Advanced Vocabulary Words

The act of forming a theory or guess without firm evidence.

A word or form of words thought to have magical power; also, a period of time.

A person who spends money recklessly or wastefully.

A mythical creature with a human head and a lion's body, or an ancient monument in Egypt.

A fluent, often persuasive speech or sales pitch.

A sharp point or projection, especially one added for protection or traction.

Having no spine; also, lacking strength of character or courage.

An unmarried woman, typically an older woman beyond the usual age for marriage.

A desire to hurt, annoy, or offend someone, often in retaliation.

Attracting attention through being showy, flamboyant, or extravagant.

A small, sharp piece of wood, glass, or other material that has broken off from a larger piece.

A cylindrical device on which thread, wire, or tape is wound for storage or use.

A projecting lip or tube on a container that allows liquid to be poured out; also refers to a jet of...

An injury to a joint, often involving stretched or torn ligaments, typically caused by twisting or w...

A small stem or twig, especially one with leaves or flowers, often used as decoration.

Lively, energetic, and full of vitality, often used to describe someone cheerful and alert.

A device that sprays water, typically used to water lawns or as part of a fire-extinguishing system.

To run at maximum speed over a short distance.

A type of evergreen coniferous tree; also used as a verb meaning to make neat or smart in appearance...

Lively courage or spirit; also refers to energy and determination.

Extremely dirty and unpleasant conditions, often due to poverty or neglect.

To bend the knees and lower the body while keeping the heels on or near the ground; also, an exercis...

To pierce with a sharp object, often violently; can also refer to a sudden sharp pain.

A musical style consisting of sharply separated, detached notes; also describes anything brief and j...

A situation in which no progress can be made, often in negotiations or games like chess.

To speak with sudden breaks or repetitions due to difficulty in pronouncing words fluently.

A way of standing or a position adopted on an issue; also refers to one's attitude or viewpoint.

To stop or check the flow of something, especially blood or leakage.

A device that fastens sheets of paper together with metal staples.

Required or allowed by statute; authorized by law.

A tall, pointed tower on a church, typically topped with a spire.

A strong, offensive smell.

To make something completely free of bacteria or other microorganisms, typically by heat or chemical...

A medical instrument used to listen to internal sounds in the body, such as the heartbeat.

A person who insists on exact conformity to rules or standards.

To describe or regard as worthy of disgrace or great disapproval.

Formal and stiff in manner or expression, lacking naturalness.

Unwilling to give or spend; mean or sparing in giving.

An offensive smell; to have or emit a strong, unpleasant odor.

A limited period of time spent doing a particular job or activity.

A barrier made of strong wooden posts set firmly into the ground, used as a defense or enclosure.

Dull, old-fashioned, or lacking in imagination; often used to describe unexciting food or people.

To stir up or intensify a feeling, emotion, or situation; also, to add fuel to a fire.

Calm, dependable, and showing little emotion; unexcitable.

The organ in the body where food is digested; also means to tolerate or endure something unpleasant.

To delay or obstruct action by refusing to cooperate or by dragging one's feet.

A person who hides on a ship, plane, or vehicle to get a free ride.

Excessively stretched, under tension, or lacking naturalness, often describing a difficult relations...

Left in a place with no way to leave, especially unexpectedly.

The act of blocking air or blood flow by constricting the neck, often resulting in suffocation.

To arrange or classify something into different layers or levels.

Having narrow bands or grooves; marked with parallel lines or layers.

A restriction or limitation; a critical remark or censure.

Loud, harsh, and grating in sound or tone; aggressively forceful in manner.

The act of walking in a relaxed, leisurely manner.

A confident or proud walk, often with an air of arrogance.

Unable to move or be moved; trapped or fixed in place.

(Of a room) poorly ventilated and too warm; (of a person) excessively formal and dull.

A performer who does dangerous physical feats, usually in place of an actor in films.

To make someone unable to think or feel properly, often due to shock or amazement.