English vocabulary has become an integral part of competitive exams. To pass the exams it is very important to understand English words in detail. One of the most frequently asked questions is word meanings. In this lesson, we are going to study some very important word meanings asked in exams.

List of Word Meanings

Here is a list of some important word meanings:

1. ABASH: it means to make someone ashamed or to embarrass someone. For example, Karan felt abashed when he was unable to dictate the speech correctly.
2. ABATE: it means to subside or to reduce. For example, Bad weather updates when good weather begins to return.
3. ABDICATE: it means to step down from a position of power or responsibility. For example, he abdicated his family to enjoy his life.
4. ABHOR: it means to hate someone very much or to detest someone. It is completely different from hatred. To abhor something is to see it with horror. For example, Karan abhorred visiting his boarding school because of the ragging he faced there.
5. ALACRITY: it means to be eager. For example, Radhika accepted the job offer with alacrity.
6. ASCETIC: it refers to a person who practices self-denial for attaining spiritual discipline. For example, Kriya adopted an ascetic life of prayer and fasting.
7. BEGUILE: it means to influence somebody deceptively. For example, Shyam beguiled his friend in a disgusting manner for attaining his desires. 
8. ABSTINENT: it means to abstain or voluntarily not doing something. For example, Rishabh used to be a chain-smoker, now he’s abstinent.
9. ACERBIC: it is used for something bitter, sour, or severe. For example, Gyaan sat silent as our teacher read aloud his acerbic comments.
10. ADULTERATE: it means to contaminate something or to make something impure. For example, packaged foods are adulterated and unhealthy.
11. AFFINITY: it means to have sympathy, attraction, kinship, or similarity. For example, Ducks have an affinity for water.
12. ALLOCATE: it means to distribute, assign, or allot. For example,  Resources are allocated in an unequal manner all over the Earth.
13. AMIABLE: it means to be friendly and agreeable. For example, The drama critic was so amiable in person that even the subjects of negative reviews found it impossible not to like her.
14. ANGUISH: it refers to agonising physical or mental pain. For example, had been a nurse in the emergency room for 20 years but she had never gotten used to the anguish of an accident.
15. APATHY: it means a lack of interest or feeling. For example, Sameer did not care one bit about current events; he was entirely apathetic.
16. BANAL: it is used for something original or ordinary. For example, the dinner conversation was so banal that Amanda fell asleep in her dessert dish.
17. BEGET:  it means to give birth to, to create, to lead to, or to cause. For example, One lie begets another lie 
18. BENIGN: it refers to something gentle, kind, or mild. For example, the threat of revolution turned out to be benign.
19. CACOPHONY: it refers to a harsh-sounding mixture of words, voices, or sounds. For example, Radhika sang in such a tone that was cacophonic to my ears.
20. CANDOUR: it refers to something that is truthful and has sincere honesty. For example, my best friend exhibited candour when he told me that for many years now he has believed me to be a jerk.
21. CAPITULATE: it means to surrender or to give up. For example, On the twenty-eighth day of the strike, the workers capitulated and went back to work without a new contract.
22. CHARISMA: it refers to a magical ability to attract followers or to inspire loyalty. To have charisma is to be charismatic. For example, Nicholas has a charismatic aura such that everyone wants to hear him.
23. DORMANT: it means to be inactive or asleep. For example, the volcano erupted violently and then fell dormant for several hundred years.
24. DUBIOUS: it means to be full of doubt or uncertainty. For example, we were dubious about the team’s success.
25. EMINENT: it means to be well-known and respected. It is used for a person who stands out from others in quality or accomplishment; it is used for something outstanding. For example, Shakespeare is eminent in the world of poetry and drama.
26. FACILE: it refers to something or someone fluent or skilful in a superficial way. If you say that a writer’s style is decided to save both that it is skilful and that it would be better if the writer exerted himself or herself more, the word for cell almost always contains a sense of superficiality. For example, the bank president was a facile speaker.
27. IMPECCABLE: it is used for something flawless or completely free of sin. For example, the children’s manners were excellent.
28. VOCIFEROUS: it is used for something loud or noisy. For example, Randy often becomes vociferous during arguments.
29. WANTON: it refers to some things unjustifiable, or egregious. Ben 10 also means intemperate. For example, to prove their point, terrorists perpetrate heinous atrocities against a defenceless population.

Conclusion

Word meanings are essential not only to have an understanding of the word in a language but also to enrich one’s vocabulary. For clearing the national level exams like the NDA examination, it is very important to understand and learn a list of word meanings.