Barron GRE word list - E To add words to your word list in Pronunciation Patterns, please double click the word and choose Add. Click here to learn how. |
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| earmark | v. ~ sb/sth (for sth/sb) assign or set aside sb/sth (to or for a special purpose) |
| earn | v. get (money) by working |
| earthly | adj. of this world; not spiritual |
| earthy | adj. of or like earth or soil |
| ebb | v. ~ (of the tide) go out; recede ; |
| ebullient | adj. full of energy and excitement; exuberant ; |
| eccentric | adj. unusual; peculiar; not conventional or normal |
| eccentricity | n. quality of being eccentric; strangeness of behaviour, etc |
| ecclesiastic | n. clergyman |
| eclectic | adj. (of people, beliefs, etc) not restricted to one source of ideas, etc, but choosing from or using a wide range |
| eclipse | n. blocking of the light of the sun or of the moon (when the earth's shadow falls on it) |
| ecliptic | (Astronomy) a the great circle on the celestial sphere representing the apparent annual path of the sun relative to the stars. |
| economy | n. avoidance of waste (of money, strength, time, resources, etc) |
| ecosystem | n. ecological unit consisting of a group of plants and living creatures interacting with each other and with their surroundings |
| ecstasy | n. great joy or happiness |
| eddy | n. circular or spiral movement of water, air, fog, dust, etc |
| edict | n. order or proclamation issued by an authority |
| edifice | n. large or imposing building |
| edify | v. (fml or joc ) improve the mind or character of (sb) |
| eerie | adj. causing a feeling of mystery and fear |
| efface | v. rub or wipe (sth) out; cause to fade |
| effective | adj. having an effect; producing the intended result |
| effectual | adj. (not used of people) producing the intended result |
| effectuate | to cause to happen; effect; accomplish |
| effeminate | adj. (of a man or his behaviour) like a woman; unmanly |
| effervescence | (n.) liveliness; spirit; enthusiasm; bubbliness |
| effete | adj. weak, having lost power |
| efficacy | n. state or quality of being efficacious |
| effigy | n. carved figure or model representing a person or animal |
| effluvium | noxious smell |
| effrontery | n. boldness or rudeness without shame; impertinence |
| effulgent | radiant splendor:BRILLIANCE |
| effusion | n. pouring out, esp of liquid |
| effusive | adj. showing (too much) feeling; too emotional |
| ego | n. individual's perception or experience of himself, esp in relation to other people or to the outside world; part of the mind that can think, feel and act |
| egoism | n. state of mind in which one is always thinking about oneself and what is best for oneself |
| egotism | n. practice of talking too often or too much about oneself; selfishness ; |
| egotistical | [ egotist: ] a conceited boastful person |
| egregious | adj. (usu of sb/sth bad ) exceptional; outstanding |
| egress | n. (right of) going out |
| ejaculation | n. sudden discharge or ejection of fluid, esp semen, from the body |
| elaborate | adj. very detailed and complicated; carefully prepared and finished |
| elaboration | addition of details; intricacy |
| elastic | adj. returning to its normal or previous size or shape after being pulled or pressed |
| elated | adj. ~ in high spirits; very happy or proud |
| elegy | n. poem or song expressing sorrow, esp for the dead; lament ; |
| elevation | n. elevating or being elevated |
| elicit | v. ~ sth (fml ) draw (facts, a response, etc) from sb, sometimes with difficulty |
| elixir | n. imaginary substance with which medieval scientists hoped to change metals into gold or make people live for ever |
| ellipsis | n. (grammar) (instance of) leaving out a word or words from (the grammatical structure of) a sentence when the meaning can be understood without it/them |
| elliptical | adj. containing ellipsis |
| elope | v. ~ run away with a lover, esp to get married |
| eloquence | n. expressive language, esp to impress or persuade an audience |
| elucidate | v. make (sth) clear; explain |
| elusive | adj. tending to escape or disappear; difficult to capture |
| elysian | adj. the Elysian fields |
| Elysium | n. (in Greek myths) home of the blessed after death |
| emaciated | adj. made thin and weak |
| emanate | v. ~ from sth/sb come or flow from sth/sb |
| emancipate | v. ~ sb set sb free, esp from political, legal or social restrictions |
| emasculate | v. remove the sexual organs of (a male animal); castrate ; |
| embargo | n. (on sth) official order that forbids sth, esp trade, the movement of ships, etc |
| embark | v. ~ (cause sb/sth to) go or be taken on board a ship or an aircraft |
| embed | to enclose closely in or as if in a matrix |
| embellish | v. ~ sth make sth beautiful by adding ornaments, etc |
| embezzlement | n. embezzling |
| embitter | v. fill with bitter feelings |
| emblazon | v. decorate with heraldic or other devices |
| embody | v. ~ sth (in sth) (fml ) express or give visible form to (ideas, feelings, etc) |
| emboss | raise in a relief |
| embrace | close encircling with the arms and pressure to the bosom especially as a sign of affection:HUG |
| embroider | v. ~ A ~ B (with A) decorate (cloth) with needlework |
| embroil | throw into confusion; involve in strife; entangle |
| embryonic | adj. in an early stage of development |
| emend | v. remove errors from |
| emendation | n. action of emending |
| emetic | n, adj causing vomiting |
| eminent | adj. famous and distinguished |
| emissary | n. person sent to deliver a message or to conduct negotiations |
| emollient | n, adj that soothes and softens the skin |
| emolument | n. (fml or rhet ) profit made from being employed; fee or salary |
| empathy | n. ability to imagine and share another person's feelings, experience, etc |
| empirical | adj. based on observation or experiment, not on theory |
| emulate | v. ~ sb (fml ) try to do as well as or better than sb |
| enact | v. perform (a part, play, etc) on, or as if on, the stage of a theatre |
| enamored | (adj.) filled with love and desire |
| encipher | convert ordinary language into code |
| encircle | v. form a circle round; surround |
| enclave | n. small territory of one state surrounded by that of another |
| encomiastic | [ encomiast: ] en"comi'astic, en"comi'astical adjective |
| encomium | n. (fml ) very high praise in speech or writing |
| encompass | v. include or comprise sth |
| encroachment | n. ~ (fml ) action of encroaching |
| encumber | to impede or hamper the function or activity of:HINDER |
| endear | v. ~ sb/oneself to sb make sb/oneself loved or liked by sb |
| endearment | n. word or expression of affection |
| endemic | n, adj that is regularly found in a particular country or area, or among a particular group of people |
| endorse | v. write one's name on the back of |
| endue | v. ~ sb with sth provide or supply sb with a good quality, ability etc |
| enduring | adj. continuing in existence; lasting |
| energize | invigorate; make forceful and active |
| enervate | v. cause to lose strength or energy |
| enfranchise | v. give (sb) political rights, esp the right to vote at parliamentary elections |
| engage | v. ~ sb (fml ) arrange to employ sb; hire sb |
| engaged | adj. busy; occupied |
| engaging | adj. likely to attract or occupy the attention; charming |
| engender | v. be the cause of (a situation or condition) |
| engross | v. occupy all the time or attention of (sb) |
| engulf | v. (of the sea, flames, etc) surround (sth) or cause (sth) to disappear; envelop |
| enhance | v. increase make (sb/sth) look better |
| enigma | n. question, person, thing, circumstance, etc that is difficult to understand; mystery |
| enigmatic | adj. difficult to understand; mysterious |
| enjoin | v. ~ sth (fml or law ) impose (an action or prohibition) on sb; order |
| enlist | v. ~ (in/for sth); ~ (sb) (as sth) enter or cause (sb) to enter the armed forces |
| enliven | v. make more lively or cheerful |
| enmity | n. condition or feeling of being an enemy; hostility |
| ennui | n. weariness of mind caused by lack of anything interesting or exciting to do; feeling of boredom |
| enormity | n. great wickedness |
| enrapture | v. fill (sb) with great delight or joy |
| ensconce | v. ~ oneself/sb in sth establish or settle oneself in a safe, secret, comfortable, etc place |
| ensue | v. ~ happen afterwards or as a result; follow |
| entail | v. make necessary; involve |
| enterprise | n. project or undertaking, esp one that is difficult or needs courage |
| enterprising | adj. having or showing enterprise(2) |
| enthrall | capture; make slave |
| entice | v. ~ sb (from sth); ~ sb (into sth/doing sth) try to tempt or persuade sb, usu by offering sth pleasant or a reward |
| entity | n. thing with distinct and real existence |
| entomology | n. scientific study of insects |
| entourage | n. all those who accompany and attend an important person |
| entrance | n. ~ opening, gate, door, passage, etc by which one enters sth |
| entreat | v. ~ sb (fml ) ask sb (for sth) earnestly and feelingly; beg |
| entree | n. ~ (into sth) right or privilege of admission or entry |
| entrepreneur | n. person who starts or organizes a commercial enterprise, esp one involving financial risk |
| enumerate | v. name one by one; count |
| enunciate | v. say or pronounce clearly |
| environ | enclose; surround |
| eon | n. an indefinitely long period of time |
| epaulet | an ornamental cloth pad worn on the shoulder |
| ephemeral | adj. living, lasting, etc for a very short time |
| epic | n. long poem about the deeds of one or more great heroes, or a nation's past history |
| epicure | n. person who takes a special interest in and gets great pleasure from food and drink |
| epicurean | n, adj fond of pleasure and luxury |
| epigram | n. short poem or saying expressing an idea in a clever and amusing way |
| epilogue | n. part or section added at the end of a book, play, film, programme, etc, as a comment on the main action |
| episodic | adj. occurring irregularly; sporadic |
| epistemologist | [ epistemology: ] e"piste'mologist nou |
| epitaph | n. words written or said about a dead person, esp words inscribed on a tombstone |
| epithet | n. adjective or descriptive phrase that refers to the character or most important quality of sb/sth eg Alfred the Great, Attila the Hun , |
| epitome | n. thing that shows on a small scale all the characteristics of sth much larger |
| epoch | n. period of time in history, life, the history of the earth, etc, esp one marked by notable events or characteristics |
| equable | adj. free from extremes of heat or cold; moderate |
| equanimity | n. calmness of mind or temper |
| equestrian | adj. of horse-riding |
| equilibrium | n. state of being balanced |
| equine | adj. of or like a horse or horses |
| equinox | n. either of the two times in the year (around |
| equipoise | n. balanced state, esp of the mind; equilibrium ; |
| equitable | adj. fair and just; reasonable |
| equity | n. fairness; right judgement |
| equivocal | adj. having a double or doubtful meaning; ambiguous |
| equivocate | v. speak in an ambiguous way to hide the truth or mislead people |
| erode | v. destroy or wear (sth) away gradually |
| erotic | adj. of or arousing sexual desire |
| errant | adj. doing wrong; misbehaving |
| erratic | adj. irregular or uneven in movement, quality or behaviour; unreliable |
| erroneous | adj. incorrect; mistaken |
| erudite | adj. having or showing great learning; scholarly |
| escapade | n. daring, mischievous or adventurous act; prank |
| eschew | v. keep away from (sth); abstain from; avoid |
| esoteric | adj. likely to be understood by only those with a special knowledge or interest; mysterious; obscure |
| espionage | n. practice of spying or using spies to obtain secret information |
| espouse | v. give one's support to (a cause, theory, etc) |
| esteem | v. (not used in the continuous tenses ) have a high opinion of (sb/sth); respect greatly |
| estimable | adj. worthy of great respect |
| estranged | [ estrange: ] [usually passive; often foll by from] to separate and live apart from (one's spouse) |
| ethereal | adj. of unearthly delicacy and lightness; seeming too spiritual or fairy-like for this world |
| ethnic | adj. of a national, racial or tribal group that has a common cultural tradition |
| ethnology | n. science of the different human races, their characteristics, relations to one another, etc |
| ethos | n. characteristic spirit, moral values, ideas or beliefs of a group, community or culture |
| etymology | n. study of the origin and history of words and their meanings |
| eugenic | pertaining to the improvement of race |
| eulogistic | adj. full of high praise |
| eulogy | n. (speech or piece of writing containing) high praise of a person or thing |
| euphemism | n. use of pleasant, mild or indirect words or phrases in place of more accurate or direct ones |
| euphony | n. pleasantness of sound, esp in words |
| euphoria | n. intense feeling of happiness and pleasant excitement |
| euthanasia | n. gentle and painless death for a person suffering from a painful incurable disease, extreme old age, etc |
| evanescent | adj. quickly fading; soon disappearing from memory |
| evasive | adj. having the aim or intention of avoiding capture, of not giving a direct answer, etc |
| evenhanded | without partiality |
| eventual | adj. happening at last as a result; ultimate |
| evince | v. show clearly that one has (a feeling, quality, etc); exhibit |
| evocative | adj. ~ that evokes or is able to evoke memories, feelings, etc (of sth) |
| evoke | v. bring to mind (a feeling, memory, etc); summon up |
| ewe | n. female sheep |
| exacerbate | v. make (pain, disease, a situation) worse; aggravate |
| exact | adj. correct in every detail; precise |
| exacting | adj. making great demands; requiring great effort |
| exalt | v. make (sb) higher in rank or greater in power |
| exasperate | v. irritate or annoy greatly |
| except | prep ~ ~ (that...) not including (sb/sth); but not |
| exceptionable | adj. that sb can object to |
| excerpt | n. ~ passage, extract, from a book, film, piece of music, etc |
| exchequer | n. the Exchequer government department in charge of public money |
| excise | n. government tax on certain goods manufactured, sold or used within a country |
| exclaim | v. cry out suddenly and loudly from pain, anger, surprise, etc |
| excoriate | to censure scathingly |
| exculpate | v. ~ sb (fml ) free sb from blame; say that sb is not guilty |
| execrable | adj. verybad; terrible |
| execrate | to declare to be evil or detestable:DENOUNCE |
| execute | v. carry out, perform (what one is asked or told to do) |
| executioner | n. public official who carries out a death sentence |
| executive | adj. concerned with the management and carrying out of plans, decisions, etc |
| executor | n. person who is appointed by the maker of a will to carry out the terms of the will |
| exegesis | n. (fml ) explanation and interpretation of a written work, esp the Bible , |
| exemplary | adj. serving as an example; suitable for imitation |
| exemplify | v. be a typical example of (sth) |
| exempt | adj. ~ free from an obligation, duty or payment; not liable |
| exertion | n. action of applying influence, etc |
| exhale | v. breathe (sth) out |
| exhilarating | adj. very exciting; causing happiness |
| exhort | v. ~ sb (fml ) advise sb strongly or earnestly; urge sb |
| exhume | v. take from the ground (for examination) |
| exigency | n. (condition of) urgent need or demand; emergency |
| exiguous | adj. very small (in amount); scanty |
| existential | adj. of or relating to (esp human) existence |
| exodus | n. ~ (to...) (fml or joc ) departure of many people at one time |
| exonerate | to relieve of a responsibility, obligation, or hardship |
| exorbitant | adj. (of a price, charge, etc) much too high or great; unreasonable |
| exorcise | drive out evil spirits |
| exotic | adj. introduced from another country; not native |
| expansive | adj. able or tending to expand |
| expatiate | v. ~ on/upon sth write or speak at great length or in detail about a subject |
| expatriate | n. person living outside his own country |
| expedient | adj. useful, helpful or advisable for a particular purpose, though not necessarily fair or moral |
| expedite | v. help the progress of (work, business, etc); hasten or speed up |
| expeditious | adj. done with speed and efficiency |
| expenditure | n. action of spending or using |
| expertise | n. expert knowledge or skill, esp in a particular field |
| expiate | v. accept punishment for (wrong one has done) and do something to show one is sorry; make up for |
| expletive | n. violent (often meaningless) exclamation said in anger, pain, etc; swear-word |
| explicate | v. explain and analyse (esp an idea, a statement or a work of literature) in detail |
| explicit | adj. (of a statement, etc) clearly and fully expressed |
| exploit | n. brave or adventurous deed or action |
| expository | serving to expound or set fourth |
| expostulation | n. protest; reasoned persuasion, etc |
| exposure | n. action of exposing or state of being exposed |
| expound | v. ~ sth (fml ) explain or make sth clear by giving details |
| expropriate | v. ~ sth (from sb) take away (property, etc) for public use without payment to the owner |
| expunge | v. ~ sth (fml ) remove or wipe out (words, names, etc) from a list, book, etc |
| expurgate | v. remove improper or objectionable parts from (a book, etc) |
| exquisite | adj. extremely beautiful or delicate; finely or skilfully made or done |
| extant | adj. still in existence |
| extemporaneous | adj. spoken or done without preparation; extempore ; |
| extenuate | v. make (wrongdoing) less serious (by providing an excuse) |
| extirpate | v. remove or destroy (sth) completely |
| extol | v. ~sb (as sth) (fml ) praise (sb/sth) highly |
| extort | v. ~ sth obtain sth by violence, threats, etc |
| extradition | surrender of prisoner by one state to another |
| extraneous | adj. ~ not belonging to or directly connected with the subject or matter being dealt with |
| extrapolation | n. ~ (fml ) |
| extricate | v. ~ sb/sth (fml ) set sb/sth free; release sb/sth ; |
| extrinsic | adj. ~ (fml ) (of qualities, values, etc) not belonging to or part of the real nature of a person or thing; coming from outside |
| extrovert | n. person more interested in what is happening around him than in his own thoughts and emotions |
| extrude | v. ~ sth (fml ) force or squeeze out sth under pressure |
| exuberance | n. state or quality of being exuberant |
| exuberant | adj. overflowing with happiness and excitement; very lively and cheerful |
| exude | v. ~ (sth) (from/through sth) (of drops of liquid, etc) come or pass out slowly; ooze out |
| exult | v. ~ (at/in sth) get great pleasure from sth; rejoice greatly |