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GRE vocabulary

GRE words starting with G

81 GRE-level words that begin with G, each with its part of speech, a plain-English definition, and an example sentence. Tap any word for synonyms, antonyms, and more.

gaffenoun

an embarrassing social mistake or blunder, especially in a public setting

gainfuladjective

providing profit or income; productive

gainfullyadverb

in a way that yields profit or useful result

gainsayverb

to deny or contradict; to declare false

gainsayernoun

one who denies, opposes, or contradicts

gallnoun

bold, brazen impudence or nerve

gallingadjective

causing irritation or resentment; vexing

galvanicadjective

producing a sudden, startling burst of energy or excitement

galvanizeverb

to shock or stir into sudden action

gambitnoun

a calculated move intended to gain an advantage

gambolverb

to run or skip about playfully

gamesomeadjective

merrily playful and frolicsome

garbleverb

to distort or confuse a message so that it is hard to understand

garishadjective

excessively bright, showy, or gaudy in a tasteless way

garnerverb

to gather or collect, especially gradually

garnishverb

to withhold part of a person's wages by legal authority to settle a debt

garrulitynoun

excessive, rambling talkativeness, often about trivial things

garrulousadjective

excessively talkative, especially about trivial things

gasconadenoun

extravagant or bombastic boasting

gaucheadjective

lacking social grace; awkward or tactless

gaudyadjective

extravagantly bright or showy, typically in a tasteless way

gaugeverb

to measure, estimate, or assess

gauntletnoun

a challenge or ordeal that one must endure or confront

gawkyadjective

awkwardly tall and ungainly in movement

genialadjective

friendly, cheerful, and pleasant in manner

gentilitynoun

refinement, good manners, or respectable social standing

genuflectverb

to bend the knee in worship or, figuratively, to show servile deference

germaneadjective

relevant and appropriate to the matter at hand

germinaladjective

in the earliest stage of development; capable of further growth

germinateverb

to begin to grow or develop

gerrymanderverb

to manipulate the boundaries of voting districts for unfair political advantage

gestateverb

to develop or take shape gradually over time

gestationnoun

the process by which an idea or plan develops over time

gestationaladjective

relating to a period of development or formation

gesturaladjective

relating to or expressed through bodily movement rather than words

ghastlyadjective

causing horror or shock; frightful or grim

ghostwriteverb

to write material that is credited to another person

gibeverb

to mock or taunt with insulting remarks

girdverb

to prepare oneself for action or a coming challenge

gistnoun

the central or essential meaning of something

glacialadjective

extremely slow; or cold and unfriendly in manner

glazeverb

to become dull, fixed, or expressionless, as the eyes from boredom or fatigue

gleanverb

to gather information or material bit by bit

glibadjective

speaking fluently and smoothly but without sincerity or depth

gloatverb

to take smug or malicious pleasure in one's success or another's misfortune

glowerverb

to stare angrily or sullenly; to scowl

glutnoun

an excessive supply of something

gnarlverb

to twist into a knotted, distorted shape

gnomicadjective

expressed in brief, enigmatic, or aphoristic statements

goadverb

to provoke or urge someone into action, often by irritation

gossameradjective

extremely light, delicate, or insubstantial

gougeverb

to overcharge or cheat someone financially

gradationnoun

a gradual change or progression through a series of stages

graftnoun

the gaining of money or advantage by corrupt means

grandeenoun

a person of high rank or importance

grandiloquencenoun

pompous or overblown speech intended to impress

grandiloquentadjective

using pompous, lofty, or overblown language

grandioseadjective

impressive or ambitious in scale, often excessively so

grandiositynoun

an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or grandeur

grandstandverb

to behave showily in order to impress onlookers

granularadjective

consisting of fine detail; broken down into small components

gratingadjective

sounding harsh and unpleasant; irritating or annoying

gratuitousadjective

uncalled for or unwarranted; done without good reason

gravitynoun

extreme seriousness or importance of a situation or matter

gregariousadjective

sociable and fond of the company of others

grievousadjective

very serious or severe; causing great suffering

grimadjective

forbidding, stern, or harshly unpleasant

grouseverb

to complain or grumble peevishly

grovelverb

to behave with abject humility in order to please someone

grovelingadjective

abjectly servile or self-abasing in seeking favor or forgiveness

grudgingadjective

given or allowed reluctantly and without good will

gruffadjective

abrupt or brusque in manner; rough and stern

guilenoun

cunning or clever deceit used to achieve an aim

guilelessadjective

free from deceit or cunning; innocent and sincere

guisenoun

an outward appearance or pretense that conceals the truth

gullibleadjective

easily deceived because of being too trusting

gumptionnoun

shrewd initiative and resourcefulness; boldness paired with common sense

gushverb

to express enthusiasm in an effusive, exaggerated way

gustatoryadjective

relating to the sense of taste

gustonoun

hearty enthusiasm and enjoyment

gyrateverb

to move in a circle or spiral; to whirl

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