SAT Study Guides
Cardset U-Z - SAT Vocabulary Flashcards
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Ubiquitous
adj. simultaneously, universally present; widely prevalent
Ulterior
adj. ultimate; farther or more remote; beyond what is clearly stated and what is appropriate
Ultimate
adj. temporally or spatially final; of the most extreme degree; fundamental
Ultimatum
n. an ultimate condition whose rejection will terminate negotiations or necessitate a resort to an unfavorable direct action
Ultramontane
adj. relating to societies beyond the mountains
Ultramundane
adj. above and beyond the world or everyday life; extraordinary or extraterrestrial
Umbrage
n. offense or resentment at a perceived slight; an obscure hint often inducing suspicion; shadowy foliage
Unaccountable
adj. inexplicable or bizarre; not responsible
Unaffected
adj. not affected or influenced; sincere
Unanimity
n. the state of being unanimous, or having universal agreement
Unanimous
adj. totally agreeing; having the consent of everyone involved
Unavoidable
adj. inevitable
Unbearable
adj. not bearable or endurable
Unbecoming
adj. unattractive; inappropriate
Unbelief
n. incredulity or doubt
Unbiased
adj. not biased or prejudiced; fair
Unbridled
adj. free from constraint or restraint
Uncommon
adj. not usually or frequently encountered; extraordinary or remarkable
Unconscionable
adj. free from the influence of one's conscience; not principled; distressingly unjust
Unconscious
adj. unaware; insensate; not consciously planned or performed
Unction
n. superficial gravity of manner; an ointment used to anoint in a religious rite
Unctuous
adj. oily in appearance or texture; smugly, obsequiously and insincerely earnest
Undeceive
v. to remove the veil of illusion or deception
Undercharge
v. to not charge enough
Underexposed
adj. insufficiently exposed
Undergarment
n. an item of clothing designed to be worn under another
Underhanded
adj. characterized by secrecy and chicanery; sly and dishonest
Underlie
v. to be positioned under; to serve as part of the foundation or supporting structure of
Underling
n. someone who is subordinate to another
Underman
v. to insufficiently or inadequately staff
Undermine
v. to attack and dismantle something's foundation; to gradually and insidiously subvert or destroy
Underrate
v. to not rate highly enough
Undersell
v. to sell items cheaper than
Undersized
adj. of inadequate size, i.e. smaller than normal or unacceptably small
Understate
v. to incorrectly describe by representing something as less than the actual amount or degree
Undervalue
v. to not value enough
Underworld
n. according to mythology, the land where the spirits of the deceased go to live out their afterlives; the unofficial community of organized criminals
Underwrite
v. to agree to be liable for as an insurer
Undue
adj. not yet due or payable; excessive to the point of being inappropriate
Undulate
v. to fluctuate or move in waves
Undulous
adj. undulating; fluctuating in volume, pitch or cadence
Unfavorable
adj. not advantageous or pleasing; opposed or disapproving
Ungainly
adj. physically awkward or clumsy; difficult to wield or handle
Unguent
n. a restorative and refreshing ointment
Unicellular
adj. composed of a single cell
Unify
v. to unite; to merge into a functional whole
Unique
adj. sole; distinct and unequaled; peculiar
Unison
n. the state of being identical in auditory pitch; the state of occurring simultaneously; a state of harmony or concordance
Unisonant
adj. being in unison or like in degree
Unitarian
adj. having the religious belief that promotes individuality, the use of reason and a liberal but united community
Univalence
n. an instance in which a chromosome lacks a synaptic partner
Unlawful
adj. illegal or immoral
Unlimited
adj. not limited or restricted; not defined by boundaries
Unnatural
adj. not natural or normal; perverse; artificial
Unnecessary
adj. not necessary or required
Unsettle
v. to uproot and move from a stable condition; to disrupt; to emotionally upset
Unsophisticated
adj. not sophisticated or simple and natural; straightforward; genuine
Unspeakable
adj. verbally inexpressible; horrifically bad; not allowed to be uttered
Untimely
adj. happening before the natural or convenient time; premature
Untoward
adj. unmanageable or unruly; troubled or unlucky; ill-boding or adverse; inappropriate
Unutterable
adj. incapable of being described or expressed
Unwieldy
adj. difficult to handle; awkward; cumbersome
Unwise
adj. not wise; foolish
Unyoke
v. to release from a harness; to break down
Upbraid
v. to harshly criticize; to vehemently reproach or scold
Upcast
n. something thrown upwards
Upheaval
n. the process of lifting something upwards; an instance of violent disturbance or emotional upset
Upheave
v. to lift or haul upwards
Up-keep
n. the act of preserving the good condition of
Uppermost
adj. stationed in the most prominent location; of utmost concern
Uproarious
adj. characterized by uproar, or violent commotion; hilarious
Uproot
v. to yank up by the roots; to displace; to destroy
Upturn
v. to flip over; to cause to face upwards
Urban
adj. relating to a city
Urbanity
n. the state of being urbane, or markedly polished in manner
Urchin
n. a raggedy and mischievous youth
Urgency
n. the state of being urgent, or insistent
Usage
n. an established practice; the act of using
Usurious
adj. characterized by usury, or, in financial investment terms, an excessive interest rate
Usurp
v. to forcibly and unrightfully obtain and keep in one’s possession; to supplant
Usury
n. in financial investment terms, an excessive interest rate
Utilitarianism
n. the philosophy maintaining that the moral rightness of something is determined by how useful it is and that the goal of any action should be the greatest happiness for the greatest number
Utility
n. a useful piece of equipment, facility or program
Utmost
n. the highest possible degree; the greatest of someone’s powers
Vacate
v. to abandon a post, premise or position; to annul
Vaccinate
v. to inject with a vaccine, or a substance containing prepared microorganisms that is designed to increase immunity to a specific disease
Vacillate
v. to swing to and fro or oscillate; to fluctuate in opinion or feeling or appear indecisive
Vacuous
adj. devoid of substance; inane or idiotic; idle
Vacuum
n. an empty space or void; a state of insulation from outside stimuli
Vagabond
n. a homeless person who wanders from place to place
Vagrant
n. a wanderer or vagabond; a seemingly idle homeless person who meanders from place to place
Vainglory
n. ostentatious vanity
Vale
n. a valley
Valediction
n. the academically highest-ranking student in a graduating class
Valedictorian
n. the highest ranking student in a graduating class
Valedictory
n. a formal statement of farewell
Valid
adj. legally recognized or effective; logically sound; relevant
Valorous
adj. valiant, or courageous
Vapid
adj. devoid of spirit or impact; insipid
Vaporizer
n. something that vaporizes, or converts a liquid into a vapor
Variable
adj. capable of varying or deviating from an established norm; lacking consistency; fickle
Variance
n. a variation, or divergence from an expected course or form; a dispute
Variant
n. something that varies or differs from an established norm
Variation
n. a divergence from an expected course or form
Variegate
v. to give variety to in appearance especially through use of color
Vassal
n. a subordinate or subservient person; in feudal society, a tenant who owes fealty to a particular lord
Vaudeville
n. a comical theatrical show characterized by pantomime, singing and dancing
Vegetal
adj. vegetable, or relating to plants
Vegetarian
n. someone who feeds exclusively on plant matter
Vegetate
v. to develop profusely like a plant; to exist in an entirely passive state
Vegetation
n. a given region's plant life
Vegetative
adj. capable of or promoting growth or propagation; relating to plants; characterized by an existing state in which only involuntary functions are operative
Vehement
adj. physically or emotionally forceful or intense
Velocity
n. speed of motion; rate of action
Velvety
adj. resembling velvet in texture or color, i.e. rich in hue and soft to the touch; smooth
Venal
adj. capable of being purchased; receptive to or associated with corrupt bribery
Vendible
adj. capable of being sold or marketed
Vendition
n. the act of vending or selling goods for a living
Vendor
n. someone who sells wares
Veneer
n. a thin and often ornamental layer; a superficially attractive appearance
Venerable
adj. sacred due to religious significance or age-related wisdom
Venerate
v. to reverentially respect or admire; to honor
Venereal
adj. relating to sexual activity
Venial
adj. pardonable, forgivable or excusable
Venison
n. deer flesh
Venom
n. a poisonous substance; malevolence
Venous
adj. relating to veins
Veracious
adj. honest; true or accurate
Veracity
n. honesty or truthfulness; a truth
Verbatim
adv. exactly repeated, word-for-word
Verbiage
n. a large number of liberally uttered words that lack meaningful content
Verbose
adj. excessively wordy
Verdant
adj. green in hue; lush in vegetation; immature or inexperienced
Verification
n. the act of verifying, or confirming the truth of
Verify
v. to attest to the truth of
Verily
adv. truly or certainly
Verity
n. the state of being true or truthful
Vermin
n. tiny harmful animals that are not easily controllable; an extremely unpleasant person
Vernacular
n. a conversational expression or language particular to a specific group of people
Vernal
adj. relating to the spring; fresh; youthful
Versatile
adj. readily flexible or variable; having many possible applications; reversible
Version
n. a recounting from a specific point of view that contrasts with another recounting; an arrangement or adaptation of a work; a variant of an original
Vertex
n. on a given figure, the spot farthest from the figure's base; a summit
Vertical
adj. perpendicular to the horizon; immediately overhead; rising upwards
Vertigo
n. a feeling of dizziness or a reeling, whirling sensation that is often triggered by an adverse response to heights
Vestige
n. a trace of something long lost; a footprint
Vestment
n. an article of clothing that is worn over other garments such as a vest or robe; a ceremonial robe
Veto
n. an official prohibition; the power of one governmental branch to provisionally or finally forbid the enacting of a project by another governmental branch
Vicarious
adj. serving as a substitute for something or someone; imaginatively experienced by figuratively stepping into the shoes of another
Viceroy
n. a state or national governor who rules as a sovereign representative
Vicissitude
n. the state of being mutable or alterable; a natural, noticeable mutation; a chance occurrence
Vie
v. to compete
Vigilance
n. the state of being vigilant, or warily watchful
Vigilant
adj. actively watchful
Vignette
n. a little, ornamental design or picture; a brief but elaborate literary sketch
Vincible
adj. capable of being defeated
Vindicate
v. to defend from allegation; to clear of blame or exculpate; to justify
Vindicative
adj. inclined to pursue revenge; spiteful
Vindicatory
adj. serving to justify or vindicate
Vinery
n. a place that houses growing vines
Viol
n. a violin-like string instrument characterized by its deep body, flat back, sloping shoulders, low-arched bridge, fretted fingerboard and six strings
Viola
n. a violin-like musical instrument that is smaller than a cello but larger than a violin and is tuned a fifth lower than a violin
Violation
n. a transgression; an irreverent or profane act; a rape or ravishment
Violator
n. someone who breaks the law, disrupts an event or physically and emotionally harms another individual
Violoncello
n. cello; a violin-like string instrument with a base-clef range that is tuned one octave below a viola
Virago
n. an overbearing, strident woman; a strong, courageous woman
Virile
adj. vigorous; capable of performing the male role in sexual intercourse; masculine
Virtu
n. curious artistic productions; an appreciation of curios
Virtual
adj. hypothetical rather than real; technologically simulated
Virtuoso
n. someone who is exceptionally artistically, musically or technologically skilled
Virulence
n. the state of being virulent, or insidiously destructive
Virulent
adj. severely destructive; highly poisonous or malicious; extremely harsh
Visage
n. someone's countenance
Viscount
n. a British nobleman ranking above and baron but below an earl
Vista
n. a far-off view along a route; a thorough mental assessment of a situation
Visual
adj. relating to vision; discerned by sight
Visualize
v. to create a mental image of
Vitality
n. liveliness; vigor
Vitalize
v. to bring to life; to animate
Vitiate
v. to adversely affect or impair; to morally tarnish; to render ineffective
Vituperable
adj. deserving vituperation, or harsh condemnation
Vivacity
n. the state of being vivacious, or lively
Vivify
v. to vitalize; to bring to life; to animate; to make vivid
Vivisection
n. the subjection of a living animal to dissection or experimentation for the sake of physiological or psychological investigation
Vocable
n. a word that consists of an assortment of sounds and letters independent of its meaning
Vocative
adj. relating to a grammatical case that notes the addressee
Vociferance
n. vociferation; a clamorous noise
Vociferate
v. to holler, cry or shout
Vociferous
adj. clamorous or obnoxiously loud and harsh
Vogue
n. something that is currently fashionable; a state of popularity
Volant
adj. capable of flying; nimble
Volatile
adj. readily aroused; violently inclined; fickle or tending to abruptly change; evanescent; light and flighty in nature or disposition
Volition
n. the ability to choose or decide
Volitive
adj. relating to one’s will; conveying a desire
Voluble
adj. naturally rotation; inclined to talk rapidly and extensively with an air of superficiality or insincerity
Voluptuous
adj. sensually gratifying; curvaceous or full in form; characterized by luxury or sensual delights
Voracious
adj. having a fierce and insatiable appetite; greedy or gluttonous
Vortex
n. a whirling liquid mass that tends to create a vacuum in its center which then draws material bodies towards it
Votary
adj. deeply devoted
Votive
adj. communicating a desire; performed in order to fulfill a vow or express gratitude
Vulgarity
n. something vulgar or crude
Vulnerable
adj. capable of being attacked or wounded
Waif
n. an abandoned or yet unclaimed item, entity or piece of property; a wandering or lost child or animal
Waistcoat
n. an item of clothing traditionally worn under a doublet
Waive
v. to voluntarily give up or forgo; to push aside
Wampum
n. traditional Native American currency consisting of strands, belts and sashes composed of beads of polished shells
Wane
v. to dwindle or diminish in scope or intensity; to decrease in power or influence
Wantonness
n. the state of being wanton, or lewd, sensual, playfully cruel or excessively lavish
Warlike
adj. belligerent or bellicose in nature; relating to war
Wavelet
n. a ripple or small wave
Weak-kneed
adj. showing little or no determination or resolution
Weal
n. a state of prosperity and well-being
Wean
v. to gradually free from dependence on something; to break a usually inappropriate habit
Wearisome
adj. inducing fatigue or weariness
Wee
adj. tiny; extremely early
Well-bred
adj. refined; of good breeding or pedigree
Well-doer
n. someone who does good or helps another
Well-to-do
adj. financially well-off or prosperous
Whereabouts
n. general location
Whereupon
adv. in consequence of which
Wherever
adv. anywhere
Wherewith
conj. by means of which
Whet
v. to hone or sharpen a tool by rubbing it against a whetstone; to stimulate or make more discerning
Whimsical
adj. capricious; fanciful; fickle
Whine
v. to cry in a shrill, woeful manner
Wholly
adv. entirely or completely; solely
Wield
v. to manage skillfully or effectively
Wile
n. a beguiling trick or stratagem meant to deceive; guile
Winsome
adj. charming or pleasantly engaging
Wintry
adj. relating to winter; old; melancholy
Wiry
adj. sinewy and flexible
Witchcraft
n. the use of black magic; an overpowering fascination; Wicca
Witless
adj. devoid of wit or wisdom; foolish
Witling
n. an unintelligent person; someone who aspires to be a wit, or a highly perceptive, articulate and clever individual
Witticism
n. a sharp witty comment
Wittingly
adv. intentionally; consciously or knowingly
Wizen
v. to shrivel up with age due to decreasing vitality
Wizen-faced
adj. old and shriveled in appearance
Working-man
n. a common laborer
Workmanlike
adj. professionally competent but not outstanding
Workmanship
n. a workman's individual skill or craft that adds to the quality of a piece
Wrangle
v. to argue peevishly or bicker; to gain through relentless arguing
Wreak
v. to impart or cause
Wrest
v. to acquire by applying forceful wringing or twisting movements
Wretchedness
n. the state of being wretched, or extremely miserable
Writhe
v. to distort or coil by twisting; to acutely suffer
Writing
n. the process or occupation of writing; a written piece
Wry
adj. twisted; wittily and ironically humorous
Yearling
n. something that is one year of age
Zealot
n. a religious or political fanatic
Zeitgeist
n. an era's overall cultural, moral and intellectual character
Zenith
n. the highest heavenly point reached by a celestial body; the acme
Zephyr
n. a delicate breeze; a lightweight piece of clothing
Zodiac
n. an imaginary celestial band that encompasses all of the supposed planetary paths and is divided into twelve constellations or astrological signs
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