| abate | verb[no object] (of something hostile/negative) become less intense or widespread: the storm suddenly abated. |
| abet | verb[with object] encourage or assist (someone) to do something wrong: he was abetted by his wife. |
| abhor | verb[with object] regard with disgust and hatred: professional tax preparers abhor a flat tax. |
| ability | noun possession of the means or skill to do something: the manager had lost his ability to motivate the players. |
| ablution | noun the act of washing oneself: the women performed their ablutions. |
| abnormal | adjective deviating from what is normal or usual: abnormal weather conditions. |
| abode | noun a place of residence; a house or home: my humble abode. |
| abolish | verb[with object] formally put an end to (a system, practice, or institution): the tax was abolished in 1977. |
| abominable | adjective causing moral revulsion: the uprising was suppressed with abominable cruelty. |
| abrogate | verb[with object] repeal or do away with (a law, right, or agreement): a proposal to abrogate temporarily the right to strike. |
| abrupt | adjective sudden and unexpected: I was surprised by the abrupt change of subject. |
| abscond | verb[no object] leave hurriedly and secretly to avoid detection: she absconded with the remaining thousand dollars. |
| absorb | verb[with object] take in or soak up (energy or liquid): buildings can be designed to absorb and retain heat. |
| absurd | adjective wildly unreasonable, illogical, or inappropriate: the allegations are patently absurd. |
| abundant | adjective existing or available in large quantities: there was abundant evidence to support the theory. |
| abuse | verb[with object] use (something) to bad effect or for a bad purpose: the judge abused his power by sentences that were too harsh. |
| accelerate | verb begin to move or happen more quickly: the car accelerated toward the corner. |
| accentuate | verb[with object] make more noticeable or prominent: his jacket accentuated his broad shoulders. |
| access | nounthe means to approach or enter a place:the staircase gives access to the top floor. |
| acclaim | verb[with object]praise enthusiastically and publicly:the conference was acclaimed as a considerable success. |
| acclimatise | verbget used to a new climate or new conditions:it's taken me a while to acclimatize myself to the new office. |
| accommodate | verb[with object]provide lodging or sufficient space for:the cabins accommodate up to four people. |
| accomplish | verb[with object]achieve or complete successfully:the planes accomplished their mission. |
| accord | verb[with object]give or grant someone (power or status):the powers accorded to the head of state. |
| accretion | noungrowth or increase by gradual accumulation:the accretion of sediments in coastal California. |
| accumulate | verb[with object]gather together an increasing number or quantity:investigators have yet to accumulate enough evidence. |
| accurately | adverbin a way that is correct in all details:the cost must be accurately estimated. |
| accuse | verb[with object]charge someone with an offense or crime:he was accused of murdering his wife. |
| achieve | verb[with object]successfully reach a result by effort or skill:he achieved his goal of becoming a pilot. |
| acknowledge | verb[with object]accept or admit the existence or truth of:the government acknowledged that the tax was unfair. |
| acquiesce | verb[no object]accept something reluctantly but without protest:Sara acquiesced in his decision. |
| acquire | verb[with object]buy or obtain for oneself:I managed to acquire all the books I needed. |
| acrid | adjectivehaving an irritatingly strong and unpleasant taste or smell:acrid smoke from burning tires. |
| adamant | adjectiverefusing to be persuaded or to change one's mind:he is adamant that he is not going to resign. |
| adapt | verbmake suitable for a new use or purpose:hospitals have had to adapt to lower budgets. |
| adept | adjectivevery skilled or proficient at something:she is adept at cutting through red tape. |
| adhere | verb[no object]stick fast to a surface:paint won't adhere well to a greasy surface. |
| adjacent | adjectivenext to or adjoining something else:adjacent rooms in a hotel. |
| administer | verb[with object]manage and be responsible for the running of:the union is administered by a central executive. |
| admonish | verb[with object]warn or reprimand someone firmly:she admonished me for appearing at breakfast unshaven. |
| adulation | nounobsequious flattery; excessive admiration:he found it difficult to cope with the adulation of the fans. |
| affinity | nouna spontaneous or natural liking for someone/something:he has an affinity for the music of Berlioz. |
| alacrity | nounbrisk and cheerful readiness:she accepted the invitation with alacrity. |
| alienate | verb[with object]cause (someone) to feel isolated or estranged:an attempt to alienate the two friends. |
| alleviate | verb[with object]make (suffering or a problem) less severe:he took aspirin to alleviate his headache. |
| allure | nounthe quality of being powerfully attractive:the allure of the big city. |
| aloof | adjectivenot friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant:they were courteous but faintly aloof. |
| altruistic | adjectiveshowing a selfless concern for others' well-being:it was an entirely altruistic act. |
| amalgamate | verbcombine or unite to form one organization:the two companies amalgamated in 1992. |
| ambivalent | adjectivehaving mixed feelings or contradictory ideas:some loved her, some hated her, few were ambivalent. |
| ameliorate | verb[with object]make (something bad) better:strategies to ameliorate negative effects of the crisis. |
| amicable | adjectivehaving a spirit of friendliness:there will be an amicable settlement of the dispute. |
| anachronistic | adjectivebelonging to a period other than that being portrayed:it's anachronistic to have computers in a movie about the 1920s. |
| analyse | verb[with object]examine methodically and in detail:we need to analyze our results. |
Lexical Meaning
April 22, 2026