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Content Writer - Study Abroad | Updated On - Jun 19, 2024
GRE tests can feel tough, especially the vocabulary section. GRE vocabulary is not just about memorizing, you should also learn similar words that mean the same thing. Many websites like The Princeton Review, Magoosh, and Kaplan offer effective GRE vocabulary preparation. The best way to learn vocabulary for GRE is by using new words in your daily life, not just on flashcards. Improve GRE vocabulary by reading difficult articles, books, or even newspapers. GRE vocabulary preparation may take time, don’t try to learn everything at once. Set an amount of time every day for GRE practice test vocabulary and practice flashcards.
GRE Vocabulary Preparation Tips
Vocabulary is an important part of GRE verbal reasoning section. To learn GRE words, you need to follow three important steps. These three steps explain the learning process of GRE vocab:
Introductory stage
This is the stage when the candidate first comes across the new GRE vocabulary words, learns their meaning from the GRE flashcards. The candidate gets familiar with the word after using it in numerous sentences.
Association stage
In this stage of GRE vocabulary learning, after knowing the meaning of the word the candidate will be able to create the distinction between that word and similar words. This is evitable in GRE reading comprehension, sentece equivalence, and text completion. Where there are similar answer choices and candidates need to pick the correct one.
Final Stage
This is the final stage of the GRE vocabulary learning process where the candidate can not only form a sentence with the word but can also remember it for future use. Therefore, the word gets added to their GRE vocabulary list.
List of GRE Prep Words
English preparation for GRE vocabulary involves learning numerous new words which can be intimidating and boring. Test-takers may also choose GRE online vocabulary preparation with pictures to enhance their vocabulary.
| Words | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| anomaly (noun ) | something that is unusual or unexpected | The student’s poor performance on the latest test was an anomaly since she had previously earned excellent grades. |
| equivocal (adj. ) | not easily understood or explained | Politicians have been known to provide equivocal answers to reporters’ questions |
| lucid (adj.) | very clear and easy to understand | The lecture was lucid and straightforward, allowing the students to fully grasp the concepts presented. |
| precipitate (verb ) | to cause (something) to happen quickly or suddenly | Unforeseen costs can precipitate a budget crisis. |
| assuage(verb) | to make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense | A massage can assuage the soreness in your muscles. |
| erudite( adj.) | having or showing great knowledge | High school students often struggle with novels that are more erudite than they are entertaining. |
| opaque ( adj.) | not able to be seen through; not easily understood | Medical jargon includes many opaque terms like macrosomic, which describes a newborn who weighs more than 4,000 grams. |
| prodigal( adj.) | wastefully extravagant | The prodigal prince bought lavish gifts and planned expensive events. |
| enigma (noun ) | a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand | Scientists continue to research cancer to solve the enigma of its primary cause, which will hopefully lead to a cure. |
| fervid (adj.) | intensely enthusiastic or passionate | The child showed a fervid fascination for superheroes, pouring over comic books for hours. |
| placate (verb) | to make (someone) less angry or hostile | A parent may decide to placate a baby with a pacifier. |
| zeal (noun) | a strong feel of interest and enthusiasm that makes someone very eager or determined to do something | The great emperor’s crusading zeal led him to conquer many lands. |
| abstain ( verb) | to restrain oneself for doing or enjoying something | Doctors encourage their patients to abstain from smoking cigarettes. |
| audacious ( adj.) | a willingness to take bold risks/ showing a lack of respect | The new CEO pursued audacious initiatives to save the company from bankruptcy. / The student’s audacious remark earned her a seat in afternoon detention. |
| prevaricate (verb ) | avoid telling the truth by not directly answering a question | During the trial, the lead witness was willing to prevaricate in order to protect his friend. |
| ostentation ( noun ) | excessive display of wealth | Owning a mansion doesn’t imply ostentation, but traveling exclusively by private jet certainly can. |
Best Way to Learn Vocabulary for GRE
Here are a few GRE vocabulary prep tips that can help you ace a good GRE score:
Practice Reading
Reading is considered a very helpful preparation for GRE grammar and vocabulary. Practice reading habits of good books, magazines, and newspapers. Do pay attention to words you don’t know. Do try not to skip them but write them down, and look for the meanings.
Take Help of the Dictionary
Take the help of a dictionary for unusual words. Do not assume the first definition is the only one you need to know, as GRE often tests secondary definitions, so go through it all.
Use Your Own Definitions
It would be difficult to learn the meaning of all new words. It would be easier to remember a word’s meaning if you make it your own.
Keep a GRE Vocabulary List
Writing down the new GRE vocabulary words may be in a napkin, as a text on your cellphone, or in your notepad will add it to the GRE word list. During practice, follow the process of learning the meaning, differentiating it from other similar words, and finally forming a sentence with that new GRE vocabulary. Consider this as your official GRE vocabulary list and learn from it.
Use GRE Flashcards
Flashcards are one of the most promising ways of learning the GRE vocabulary. You can make your own GRE vocab flashcards by writing the new word on the blank side and the meaning on the other. If the pronunciation bothers you, write it down too. Write a proper sentence with that word to remember in which context to use them.
Prioritize Learning GRE Words
Learning GRE vocabulary from the dictionary can help candidates know the different meanings of a single word. GRE syllabus often tests the candidate’s knowledge by asking for the second meaning of a specific word. For instance, a wave means moving the hand to greet someone, and it also means an arched form of water approaching the shore.
Visualizations Help
Try to practice memorizing new words with the help of visualization. Try to use your imagination to create an image to fix a new word in your mind. For example, the word voracious, which means having an insatiable appetite, imagine an incredibly hungry bear eating huge piles of food. The voracious bear will help you to recall the meaning of the word.
Learn GRE Vocabulary from Root Words
Learn about words having similar roots or origins. The word ‘aqua’ means water and word like aquarium and aquatic are both related to water. Learning about root words helps candidates in assuming the meaning of the unknown GRE vocabulary in case they are not aware of the meaning.
GRE Vocabulary Preparation Books
Here is a list of the top GRE preparation books with PDFs for helping the candidates during GRE preparation:
- Barron’s Essential Words for the GRE: Check PDF
- Kaplan GRE Exam Vocabulary Flashcards: Check PDF
- Word Power Made Easy: Check PDF
- GRE Vocabulary Flash Review: Check PDF
- Webster’s New World Essential Vocabulary: Check PDF
Best Apps to Improve GRE Vocabulary
GRE vocabulary preparation requires rigorous practice. It depends on your prior knowledge of which difficulty level of GRE vocabulary is suitable for you. You will need to learn more words in less time. The best apps to improve GRE preparation for vocabulary available on the internet can be found really helpful.
- GRE Vocabulary Flashcards by Magoosh (4.8 stars, 1180+ ratings)
- GRE Practice, Prep, Flashcards by Varsity Tutors (4.9/5 stars, 727 ratings)
- GRE Prep and Practice by Magoosh (4.8/5 stars, 763 ratings)
- Manhattan Prep GRE by Higher Learning Technologies (4.8 stars, 213 ratings)
- GRE Test Prep by Galvanize (4.8/5 stars, 50 ratings)
- GRE Daily Vocabulary by The Economist (4.9 stars, 29 ratings)
GRE vocabulary may be challenging, but you can achieve a good score with good preparation. Many prep books offer comprehensive vocabulary lists and practice exercises. However, aiming to learn a wider range of words can give you a higher score.
FAQs
Ques: What vocab to study for GRE?
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Ques: How to memorize 1000 words for GRE?
Ques: How to improve my GRE vocabulary score?
Ques: What are the sources for GRE vocabulary?
Ques: How to build GRE vocabulary?
Ques: How is vocabulary tested in GRE Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence?
Ques: Which vocabulary is best for GRE?
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*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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