Click any word to reveal its definition. Practice spelling each word by covering the screen and writing it from memory.
onomatopoeia
A word that imitates a sound
acquiesce
To accept something reluctantly
bourgeoisie
The middle class
chrysanthemum
A flowering plant with many petals
deteriorate
To become worse over time
entrepreneur
A person who starts businesses
fluorescence
Emission of light by a substance
hemorrhage
Severe bleeding
idiosyncrasy
A peculiar habit or characteristic
juxtaposition
Placing things close together for comparison
kaleidoscope
A tube with mirrors showing patterns
labyrinth
A complex maze
metamorphosis
A dramatic transformation
nonchalant
Casually calm and relaxed
obstreperous
Noisy and difficult to control
phenomenon
A remarkable event or occurrence
querulous
Whining or complaining
renaissance
A revival of art and learning
surreptitious
Kept secret; done stealthily
tintinnabulation
A ringing or tinkling sound
ubiquitous
Found everywhere
verisimilitude
The appearance of being true
whimsical
Playfully unpredictable
xylophone
A musical percussion instrument
acquaintance
A person you know slightly
bureaucracy
Government with many rules and officials
caterpillar
The larval stage of a butterfly
disingenuous
Not candid or sincere
effervescent
Bubbly; vivacious
gubernatorial
Relating to a state governor
hippopotamus
A large African river animal
irreconcilable
Impossible to resolve
jeopardize
To put at risk
knowledgeable
Well-informed
loquacious
Very talkative
miscellaneous
Various; mixed
neurological
Relating to the nervous system
ostentatious
Showy; meant to impress
perspicacious
Having keen insight
quintessential
Representing the perfect example
reminiscence
A memory of past events
sacrilegious
Violating something sacred
totalitarian
A government with absolute control
unequivocal
Leaving no doubt
vicissitudes
Changes of circumstances
weatherization
Making a building weather-resistant
youthfulness
The quality of being young
zeitgeist
The spirit of the times
ambidextrous
Able to use both hands equally
cantankerous
Bad-tempered and argumentative
discombobulate
To confuse or disconcert
extemporaneous
Spoken without preparation
Study strategy: Cover the word, say it aloud, spell it from memory, then check. Repeat for any words you missed.