SAT Vocabulary:

Difficulty Level 1

Abacus• Definition: a frame with beads or

balls used for doing arithmetic. Sentence: “Use the abacus to solve the following math equation.”

Adjunct• Definition: connected or attached

in a secondary or subordinate way.

Sentence: “The rice acts as an adjunct to the main course.”

Adorn• Definition: ornament; to put

decorations on somethingSentence: “The tree was adorned with Christmas lights.”

Aesthetic • Definition: artistic; sensitive to

art and beautySentence: “The artist’s paintings lacked any aesthetic quality.”

Affable• Definition: gentle and kindlySentence: “I always found him a very affable, approachable guy.”

Aggrandize• Definition: to make seem greaterSentence: “Clowns aggrandize balloons by turning them into animals.”

Anarchy• Definition: the complete absence

of governmentSentence: “If we had no laws the country would fall into anarchy.”

Apathetic• Definition: feeling little or no

emotion; unmovedSentence: “The apathetic man ignored the homeless man on the street.”

Ballad• Definition: a romantic or

sentimental song.Sentence: “The man sang his a wife a beautiful ballad on her birthday.”

Beacon• Definition: any light or warning

for guidingSentence: “A lighthouse works by sending out a beacon of light to tell ships where to land.”

Bias• Definition: a mental leaning or

inclination; partialitySentence: “In order to be selected to a jury you must show no bias.”

Blandishment• Definition: a flattering act or

remark meant to persuadeSentence: “I will not allow you to blandish me into doing as you wish.”

Buttress• Definition: a projecting structure

built against a wall to support or reinforce it

Sentence: “The men constructed the buttress to help support the tower.”

Callous• Definition: unfeeling; lacking pity

or mercySentence: “That was a callous act, which left her hand painful and badly bruised.”

Colloquial• Definition: conversational;

having to do with or like conversation

Sentence: “Most of the lectures were formal and boring, but the last one was more engaging and lively because of its colloquial nature.”

Conciliatory • Definition: tending to reconcileSentence: "She was still angry with her uncle despite his conciliatory words."

Daunt• Definition: intimidate; to make

afraid or discouragedSentence: “Climbing Mount Everest will daunt even the most experienced climbers.”

Eccentricity• Definition: irregularity; odditySentence: “The boy was looked at strangely due to his eccentricity.”

Fallacious• Definition: misleading or

deceptiveSentence: “The executives speech seemed fallacious to the informed.”

Genial• Definition: cheerful; friendly;

sympatheticSentence: “Her genial attitude is her greatest strength.”