GRE words: the complete A to Z vocabulary list
The complete GRE vocabulary list, 2,784 high-frequency GRE words fact-checked and grouped by first letter. Every word carries its part of speech, a plain-English definition, synonyms and antonyms, and an example sentence that shows the word in real use. Browse by letter below, or start with the high-frequency words the GRE uses most.
High-frequency GRE words to learn first.
If you are staring at a list of thousands and not sure where to begin, start here. These are common, recurring GRE words. Learn this handful in context, then use the A-to-Z list below to go deeper.
something that deviates from what is standard or expected
severe or plain in manner or appearance
a harsh, jarring mixture of sounds
to express strong, formal disapproval of someone
respectful submission to another's judgment or wishes
very attentive to detail and hard to please
sociable and fond of the company of others
a person who attacks cherished beliefs or established institutions
to make less severe, painful, or harmful
to make something deliberately unclear or confusing
marked by a showy display intended to impress others
to speak or act evasively to avoid telling the truth
Want a bigger curated set? See the top 100 high-frequency GRE words, the 500 most essential GRE words, or the hardest GRE words for a 320+ target.
Every GRE word, grouped by first letter.
How to use this GRE vocabulary list.
Do not read it front to back. A GRE vocabulary list is a reference, not a syllabus. Start with the high-frequency words above and the top 100, because those recur the most on the real test, then use the A-to-Z list to fill gaps and look up words you meet in practice.
Learn each word in context, not as a bare definition. The GRE rarely tests the dictionary meaning; it tests how a word behaves in a sentence, where two near-synonyms can fit differently. Every entry here pairs the definition with an example sentence for exactly that reason.
Review in short, regular sessions with the flashcard trainer, then apply the words in real Sentence Equivalence and Text Completion questions. Recognition plus applied practice is what moves a word from vaguely familiar to test-ready.
GRE vocabulary list, answered.
Do not just memorise. Apply.
The GRE tests how a word behaves in a sentence. Take these words into real text completion and sentence equivalence practice.