Advanced Vocabulary Lists and Exercises

Advanced Word List 21

ad lib: (verb) to speak or perform without preparing previously, improvise
The teacher lost all of his teaching notes on the way to class and was forced to ad lib the lesson.
animosity: (noun) strong hostility, hatred
For some reason, Max feels a lot of animosity toward Mary.
earnest: (adjective) serious and sincere
Max made an earnest attempt to study for the exam, but it was too difficult for him.
epitome: (noun) a perfect example
Some people feel that George Bush is the epitome of arrogance.
genre: (noun) a category or kind (usually of art, literature, or music)
Max's favorite film genres are action and comedy.
permeate: (verb) to spread throughout (usually odor)
The stench of the rotten food permeated the entire building.
taciturn: (adjective) reserved, saying little
Max seems to be unusually taciturn today. Something must be bothering him.