Grade 10 Word of the Day

Xenial adjective — Hospitable, friendly, or relating to hospitality or guest-friendship: characteristic of a friendly relationship.

Yarpha noun — Australian slang: an unrefined or unsophisticated person: a country bumpkin or uncouth individual.

Yodle verb — "A variant spelling of ""yodel, "" referring to a form of singing or vocalizing characterized by rapid changes in pitch".

Anguish noun — Severe mental or physical pain or suffering.

Burnish verb — To polish (something, especially metal) by rubbing.

Caustic adjective — Sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way.

Concoct verb — Create or devise (a story or plan).

Contend verb — Struggle to surmount (a difficulty or danger).

Maudlin adjective — Self-pityingly or tearfully sentimental, often through drunkenness.

Belfry noun — A bell tower, either attached to a church or other building or standing apart.

Impugn verb — Dispute the truth, validity, or honesty of (a statement or motive): call into question.

Aerie noun — A large nest of a bird of prey, especially an eagle, typically built high in a tree or on a cliff.

Comely adjective — Attractive.

Yokel noun — An unsophisticated, rural person considered to be naive or gullible: a person from a rural area perceived as simple or backward.

Abstain verb — To restrain oneself from doing or enjoying something.

Burgeon verb — To begin to grow or increase rapidly: flourish.

Distaff adjective — The female branch of a family or society.

Edify verb — To instruct or improve (someone) morally or intellectually.

Inure verb — To accustom (someone) to something, especially something unpleasant. (Accustom: make psychologically or physically used.)

Largess noun — Generosity in bestowing money or gifts upon others.

Crease verb — A line or ridge produced on paper or cloth by folding, pressing, or crushing it.

Wallow verb — (Of a person) indulge in an unrestrained way in (something that creates a pleasurable sensation).

Feckless adjective — Weak, irresponsible.

Jejune adjective — Dull, puerile. (Puerile: of or characteristic of a child.)

Obtuse adjective — Blunt, stupid.

Penury noun — Extreme poverty.

Impious adjective — Not showing respect or reverence, especially for a god.

Prattle verb — Talk at length in a foolish or inconsequential way.

Redress verb — Remedy or set right (an undesirable or unfair situation).

Vagrant adjective — A person without a settled home or regular work.

Viscous adjective — Having a thick, sticky consistency between solid and liquid.

Ersatz adjective — (Of a product) made or used as a substitute, typically an inferior one, for something else.

Pedant noun — A person who is excessively concerned with minor details and rules or with displaying academic learning.

Writhe verb — To twist or contort the body, especially in pain or discomfort: to squirm or wriggle uncontrollably.

Yaffle verb — British slang: to eat or consume food with great enthusiasm: to devour or gobble down food.

Zealot noun — A person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their religious, political, or other ideals.

Grievous adjective — Causing great suffering.

Supplant verb — Supersede and replace. (Supersede: take the place or move into the position of.)

Abase verb — To humiliate or degrade someone, especially in rank or dignity.

Embroil verb — Involve (someone) deeply in an argument, conflict, or difficult situation.

Varnish verb — A liquid preparation that dries into a hard, transparent coating.

Accrue verb — (Of sums of money or benefits) be received by someone in regular or increasing amounts over time.

Anoint verb — To smear or rub with oil or an oily substance, typically as part of a religious ceremony.

Listless adjective — Lacking energy or enthusiasm.

Abide verb — Accept or act in accordance with (a rule, decision, or recommendation).

Abscond verb — To leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to avoid detection or arrest.

Elegy noun — A poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead.

Yeoman noun — A person holding a small landed estate: a farmer of the middle class: a reliable and hardworking individual.

Deride verb — To express contempt for: ridicule.

Skittish adjective — Nervous, jittery, or easily startled.

Specious adjective — Superficially plausible, but actually wrong.

Bombard verb — Attack (a place or person) continuously with bombs, shells, or other missiles.

Lampoon verb — To publicly criticize (someone or something) by using ridicule, irony, or sarcasm.

Nascent adjective — Just coming into existence and beginning to display signs of future potential.

Arcane adjective — Understood by few: mysterious or secret.

Forage verb — Search widely for food or provisions.

Ossify verb — Turn into bone or bony tissue.

Sentient adjective — Able to perceive or feel things.

Languid adjective — Displaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort: slow and relaxed.

Phalanx noun — A body of troops or police officers, standing or moving in close formation.

Jargon noun — Special words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand.

Effigy noun — A sculpture or model of a person.

Repose noun — A state of rest, sleep, or tranquility.

Vanguard noun — The forefront of an action or movement.

Bastion noun — An institution, place, or person strongly defending or upholding particular principles, attitudes, or activities.

Consign verb — Deliver (something) to a person's custody, typically in order for it to be sold.

Usury noun — The illegal action or practice of lending money at unreasonably high rates of interest.

Irksome adjective — Annoying.

Risible adjective — Laughable.

Wheedling adjective — Flattering.

Abjure verb — To renounce or reject solemnly, often under oath.

Opaque adjective — Not able to be seen through: not transparent.

Tirade noun — A long, angry speech of criticism or accusation.

Xiphoid adjective — Resembling or relating to a sword or sword-shaped structure: having a pointed or sword-like tip.

Baleful adjective — Deadly, foreboding.

Exigent adjective — Pressing: demanding.

Perfidy noun — Deceitfulness: untrustworthiness. (Untrustworthiness: the trait of not deserving trust or confidence.)

Quiescent adjective — Inactive, untroublesome.

Acumen noun — The ability to make good judgments and quick decisions.

Demise noun — The end or failure of an enterprise or institution.

Dispatch verb — Send off to a destination or for a purpose.

Peruse verb — Read (something), typically in a thorough or careful way.

Plebeian adjective — Of or belonging to the commoners of ancient Rome.

Rococo adjective — Characterized by elaborate ornamentation, florid style, and convoluted details.

Vagary noun — An unpredictable, erratic, or whimsical idea, action, or notion.

Clamber verb — To climb, move, or get in or out of something in an awkward and laborious way.

Fulsome adjective — Abundant, overdone, effusive. (Effusive: uttered with unrestrained enthusiasm.)

Ingrate noun — An ungrateful person.

Sumptuous adjective — Splendid and expensive-looking.

Trenchant adjective — Sharp, penetrating, distinct.

Umbrage noun — Offense or annoyance.

Cajole verb — Persuade someone to do something by sustained coaxing or flattery.

Rarefy verb — To make or become thin, less dense, or less numerous.

Vilify verb — To speak or write about in an abusively disparaging manner.

Congruent adjective — In agreement or harmony.

Insipid adjective — Lacking flavor or vigor.

Larceny noun — Theft of personal property.

Lissome adjective — Thin, supple, and graceful.

Puerile adjective — Childishly silly and trivial.

Utterly adjective — Completely and without qualification.

Voluble adjective — Glib, given to speaking.

Lobbying noun — Seeking to influence (a politician or public official) on an issue.

Vanity noun — Excessive pride in or admiration of one's own appearance or achievements.

Ballast noun — Heavy material, such as gravel, sand, iron, or lead, placed low in a vessel to improve its stability.

Yawning adjective — Involuntarily opening one's mouth wide and taking a deep breath, often as a result of tiredness or boredom.

Adamant adjective — Unyielding: a very hard substance.

Hastily adjective — With excessive speed or urgency.

Laconic adjective — Using very few words: concise.

Noisome adjective — Having an extremely offensive smell.

Replete adjective — Filled or well-supplied with something.

Wizened adjective — Shriveled or wrinkled with age.

Confound verb — Cause surprise or confusion in (someone), especially by acting against their expectations.

Enigma noun — A person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand.

Jingoism noun — Extreme patriotism, especially in the form of aggressive or warlike foreign policy.

Penchant noun — A strong or habitual liking for something or tendency to do something.

Aseptic adjective — Free from contamination, infection, or disease.

Conscript noun — Enroll (someone) compulsorily into military service.

Fractious adjective — (Typically of children) irritable and quarrelsome. (Quarrelsome: given to quarreling.)

Germane adjective — Relevant to a subject under consideration.

Ignoble adjective — Not honorable in character or purpose.

Lionize verb — To treat (someone) as a celebrity.

Nominal adjective — Existing in name only: very small.

Obviate verb — Remove (a need or difficulty): avoid.

Panache noun — Flamboyant confidence of style or manner.

Placate verb — Make (someone) less angry or hostile.

Zeugma noun — A figure of speech in which a word applies to two others in different senses or to two others of which it semantically suits only one.

Augury noun — A sign of what will happen in the future: an omen or prediction.

Deface verb — To spoil the surface or appearance of (something), typically with writing or drawing.

Xanthous adjective — Having a yellow or yellowish coloration: resembling or relating to the color yellow.

Yearning adjective — A strong feeling of longing or desire, often accompanied by nostalgia or melancholy.

Assuage verb — To make an unpleasant feeling less intense.

Cursory adjective — Hasty and therefore not thorough or detailed.

Debacle noun — A sudden and ignominious failure: a fiasco. (Ignominious: deserving or bringing disgrace or shame.)

Mollify verb — Appease the anger or anxiety of (someone).

Panoply noun — A complete or impressive collection of things.

Winsome adjective — Attractive or appealing in appearance or character.

Allege verb — Claim or assert that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically without proof.

Brandish verb — To wave or flourish (something, especially a weapon) as a threat or in anger.

Arcadian adjective — Serene.

Abridge verb — To shorten or condense while retaining the essence.

Acerbic adjective — Sharp and forthright, often with a bitter tone.

Austere adjective — Severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance.

Bipolar adjective — Having or relating to two poles or extremities.

Convoke verb — Call together or summon (an assembly or meeting).

Decorum noun — Behavior in keeping with good taste and propriety.

Diverge verb — To depart from a set course or direction.

Impasse noun — A situation in which no progress is possible.

Magnate noun — A wealthy and influential person, especially in business.

Malaise noun — A general feeling of discomfort, illness, or unease.

Missive noun — A letter, especially a long or official one.

Orotund adjective — (Of voice or speech) full, round, and imposing.

Languish verb — (Of a person or other living thing) lose or lack vitality: grow weak or feeble.

Cerulean adjective — Sky blue.

Culpable adjective — Deserving blame.

Extolled adjective — Praise enthusiastically.

Insolent adjective — Impudent, contemptuous.

Intrepid adjective — Fearless: adventurous.

Redolent adjective — Aromatic, evocative.

Appease verb — Pacify or placate (someone) by acceding to their demands.

Beguile verb — Charm or enchant (someone), sometimes in a deceptive way.

Calumny noun — The making of false and defamatory statements about someone.

Caprice noun — A sudden and unaccountable change of mood or behavior.

Console verb — Comfort (someone) at a time of grief or disappointment.

Erratic adjective — Not even or regular in pattern or movement: unpredictable.

Maelstrom noun — A powerful whirlpool in the sea or a river.

Pensive adjective — Engaged in, involving, or reflecting deep or serious thought.

Premise noun — A proposition supporting or helping to support a conclusion.

Requite verb — Make appropriate return for (a favor, service, or wrongdoing).

Satiate verb — Satisfy (a desire or an appetite) to the full.

Vaguely adjective — In a way that is uncertain, indefinite, or unclear.

Verbose adjective — Using or expressed in more words than are needed.

Xanadu noun — An idyllic, exotic, or luxurious place or setting: a place of great beauty, wealth, and splendor.

Annually adjective — Once a year.

Bonhomie noun — Cheerful friendliness: geniality. (Geniality: a disposition to be friendly and approachable.)

Esurient adjective — Hungry or greedy.

Manifold adjective — Many and various.

Petulant adjective — Rude, ill humored.

Abolish verb — Formally put an end to (a system, practice, or institution).

Brevity noun — Concise and exact use of words in writing or speech.

Polemic noun — A strong verbal or written attack on someone or something.

Prescient adjective — Having or showing knowledge of events before they take place.

Probity noun — The quality of having strong moral principles: honesty and decency.

Yielding adjective — Giving in to pressure or force: submissive or compliant: capable of being bent or shaped without breaking.

Abstruse adjective — Difficult to understand: obscure.

Exequies noun — Funeral rites or ceremonies.

Permeate verb — Spread throughout (something): pervade. (Pervade: spread or diffuse through.)

Sardonic adjective — Grimly mocking or cynical.

Untoward adjective — Unfavorable, unfortunate, or improper.

Absolve verb — To set or declare (someone) free from blame, guilt, or responsibility.

Behoove verb — It is a duty or responsibility for someone to do something.

Bucolic adjective — Relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside or country life.

Caliber noun — The quality of someone's character or the level of someone's ability.

Conifer noun — A tree that bears cones and evergreen needlelike or scalelike leaves.

Occlude verb — To stop, close up, or obstruct (an opening, orifice, or passage).

Onerous adjective — Involving an amount of effort and difficulty that is oppressively burdensome.

Vestige noun — A trace of something that is disappearing or no longer exists.

Eulogy noun — A speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly, typically someone who has just died.

Admonish verb — Warn or reprimand someone firmly.

Didactic adjective — Conveying information or moral instruction.

Gullible adjective — Easily persuaded to believe something.

Harangue verb — A lengthy and aggressive speech.

Pristine adjective — In its original condition: unspoiled.

Quixotic adjective — Exceedingly idealistic: unrealistic and impractical.

Censure verb — Express severe disapproval of (someone or something), typically in a formal statement.

Paucity noun — The presence of something only in small or insufficient quantities or amounts.

Levity noun — Humor or frivolity, especially the treatment of a serious matter with humor or in a manner lacking due respect.

Banausic adjective — Ordinary, practical, related to manual labor.

Hermetic adjective — Insulated or protected from outside influences.

Wardrobe noun — A person's entire collection of clothes.

Censor verb — An official who examines material that is about to be released, such as books, movies, news, and art, and suppresses any parts that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security.

Concede verb — Admit that something is true or valid after first denying or resisting it.