116 words every grade 12 speller should know, each with a kid-friendly definition. Hear them read aloud and practice for free with the Spellaroo spelling quiz.
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| abate | become less intense |
| abdicate | give up power or responsibility |
| aberrant | departing from accepted standard |
| abjure | solemnly renounce belief |
| abscond | leave hurriedly and secretly |
| abstain | restrain oneself from indulging |
| admonish | warn or reprimand firmly |
| aesthetic | relating to beauty |
| affable | friendly and easy to talk to |
| aggregate | whole formed by combining parts |
| alleviate | make suffering less severe |
| altruistic | showing unselfish concern |
| ambiguous | having more than one meaning |
| amenable | open and responsive to suggestion |
| analogous | comparable in certain respects |
| anarchy | state of disorder |
| anecdotal | based on personal accounts |
| animosity | strong hostility |
| anomaly | something unusual |
| anthology | collection of literary works |
| antiquated | belonging to former times |
| apathy | lack of interest or concern |
| apocalyptic | describing end of world |
| appease | pacify by acceding to demands |
| arbitrary | based on random choice |
| archetype | very typical example |
| ardent | enthusiastic or passionate |
| articulate | to express clearly |
| ascertain | find out for certain |
| assiduous | showing dedication |
| asylum | protection from danger |
| atrophy | gradually decline in effectiveness |
| augment | make greater by adding |
| auspicious | conducive to success |
| authentic | genuine; real |
| autocratic | taking no account of others |
| autonomous | having freedom of action |
| avarice | extreme greed for wealth |
| belligerent | aggressive; hostile |
| benign | gentle and kindly |
| bombastic | high-sounding but meaningless |
| bureaucracy | system of government |
| candid | truthful and straightforward |
| catalyst | agent causing change |
| cathartic | providing psychological relief |
| caustic | sarcastic in bitter way |
| cessation | fact or process of ending |
| chasm | deep fissure or division |
| chronological | arranged in time order |
| clandestine | kept secret or hidden |
| coalescence | process of coming together |
| conundrum | difficult problem or puzzle |
| credulity | tendency to believe readily |
| culminate | reach a climax or point of highest development |
| cynic | person who believes people are motivated by self-interest |
| debacle | sudden disastrous collapse or defeat |
| decadent | characterized by moral decline |
| deference | humble submission and respect |
| demagogue | political leader appealing to prejudices |
| deplorable | deserving strong condemnation |
| desolate | deserted and giving impression of bleak emptiness |
| despotic | exercising power in cruel way |
| dexterous | showing skill with hands |
| diffident | modest or shy due to lack of confidence |
| dilettante | person with superficial knowledge |
| discord | disagreement between people |
| disdain | feeling that something is unworthy |
| disparage | regard as being of little worth |
| duplicity | deceitfulness in speech or conduct |
| ebullient | cheerful and full of energy |
| eclectic | deriving ideas from broad range of sources |
| egregious | outstandingly bad or shocking |
| elusive | difficult to find, catch, or achieve |
| enigmatic | difficult to interpret or understand |
| equivocal | open to more than one interpretation |
| euphemism | mild term substituted for harsh one |
| exacerbate | make problem or situation worse |
| exonerate | absolve someone from blame |
| expedient | convenient and practical |
| fatuous | silly and pointless |
| fecund | producing many new ideas |
| flagrant | conspicuously or obviously offensive |
| flippant | not showing proper respect |
| frivolous | not having serious purpose |
| garrulous | excessively talkative |
| gratuitous | uncalled for; lacking good reason |
| heretical | believing in or practicing heresy |
| histrionic | overly theatrical or dramatic |
| hyperbole | deliberate exaggeration |
| idiosyncratic | relating to idiosyncrasy |
| ignominious | deserving or causing public disgrace |
| impertinent | not showing proper respect |
| impetuous | acting quickly without thought |
| inadvertent | done without conscious intention |
| incisive | accurately analytical |
| incontrovertible | not able to be denied |
| indolent | wanting to avoid activity |
| ineffable | too great to be expressed in words |
| inept | having or showing no skill |
| inexorable | impossible to stop or prevent |
| inscrutable | impossible to understand |
| intransigent | unwilling to change views |
| irascible | having or showing tendency to anger |
| jocular | fond of joking; humorous |
| lackadaisical | lacking enthusiasm |
| lascivious | lustful; lecherous |
| licentious | promiscuous and unprincipled |
| lugubrious | looking or sounding sad |
| mercurial | subject to sudden changes of mood |
| myriad | countless or extremely great number |
| onerous | involving great effort or difficulty |
| pious | devoutly religious |
| platitude | remark lacking originality |
| sedulous | showing dedication and diligence |
| vitriolic | filled with bitter criticism |
| xenophobic | having dislike of people from other countries |