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GRE Vocabulary Flashcards

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Master essential GRE vocabulary words with definitions, examples, and memory aids.

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GRE Vocabulary flashcards, 33 cards. Hand-written and source-checked. The full set is on this page below.

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Practice GRE Vocabulary with 7 flashcards using spaced repetition.

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Learning Tips for GRE Vocabulary

Learn Word Roots

Greek and Latin roots help you guess unknown words.

Study in Context

Learn words through sentences, not just definitions.

Review Daily

GRE prep requires consistent daily vocabulary review.

How to Use Flashcards for GRE Vocabulary

Start with the Basics

Review the flashcard deck to familiarize yourself with key concepts and terminology.

Use Spaced Repetition

Our system schedules reviews at optimal intervals to maximize long-term retention.

Test Yourself

Use quiz mode to actively recall information and identify areas that need more practice.

Practice Daily

Consistent 15-20 minute daily sessions are more effective than long occasional study periods.

Free GRE Vocabulary flashcards: 33-card starter set

This is a starter set of words of the kind often found in GRE preparation lists: words describing character, speech, judgment and subtle or obscure meaning. Each card has a short definition written in our own words, and a few include a contrast word to keep look-alikes apart. It is an independent study aid; it does not cover every GRE word and is not affiliated with ETS.

No signup needed. Progress saves in your browser, and in your account if you sign in. Reviewed 2026-10-17.

Character and behavior (11)

capricious

Given to sudden, unpredictable changes of mood or behavior.

mercurial

Changeable in mood, quick and unpredictable (not simply cheerful).

impetuous

Acting quickly and without careful thought.

circumspect

Cautious; considering all circumstances and possible results before acting.

diffident

Lacking self-confidence; shy and hesitant to speak or act.

obsequious

Excessively eager to please or obey; fawning.

magnanimous

Generous and forgiving, especially toward a rival or someone less powerful.

parsimonious

Extremely unwilling to spend money; stingy.

fastidious

Excessively particular about details; hard to please.

recalcitrant

Stubbornly resistant to authority or control.

sanguine

Optimistic, especially in a difficult situation.

Speech and communication (7)

garrulous

Talking too much, especially about trivial things.

taciturn

Habitually silent or uncommunicative (the opposite of garrulous).

prevaricate

To speak evasively or avoid the truth, often by being vague.

laud

To praise highly.

acrimonious

Bitter, angry and harsh in tone, especially of a dispute.

insipid

Lacking flavor or interest; dull.

deference

Respectful submission to another's opinion, wishes or authority.

Judgment, change and effect (8)

ameliorate

To make a bad or unsatisfactory situation better.

pernicious

Harmful in a gradual or hidden way.

vacillate

To waver between different opinions or courses of action.

tenacious

Holding firmly to something; persistent and determined.

desultory

Lacking plan or purpose; moving from one thing to another without enthusiasm.

apathy

Lack of interest, enthusiasm or concern.

alacrity

Cheerful readiness and speed in responding.

iconoclast

A person who attacks cherished beliefs or institutions.

Obscure and subtle meaning (7)

abstruse

Difficult to understand because it is deep or complex.

esoteric

Understood by or meant for a small group with specialized knowledge.

enigmatic

Mysterious and difficult to interpret.

clandestine

Done secretly, often because it is illicit.

aberrant

Departing from what is normal or expected.

anomaly

Something that deviates from what is standard or expected.

austere

Severe or strict in manner; plain, without luxury.

What this set covers

Words covered

A starter set of commonly listed GRE words with short definitions

Grouped by

Character and behavior, speech and communication, judgment and change, obscure meaning

Best used for

First pass over core words before moving to a longer word list or your own missed words

Not covered

The full GRE word universe, the Quantitative section, or Analytical Writing

How to study this set

GRE-style words are rare in everyday reading, so spacing and active recall matter more than rereading lists.

1
Day 1
Learn one group of 7 to 11 words. Say each definition out loud, then think of one person or situation to which it fits.
2
Days 2-7
Add a new group each day while reviewing earlier groups. Pair opposites (garrulous/taciturn, ameliorate/exacerbate) so each helps you recall the other.
3
Week 2
Use words in your own sentences, and add words you meet in practice questions to a separate deck of missed words.
4
Final weeks
Spend most of your time on words you keep missing. Try guessing the meaning from a sentence first, then flip to check.

Spaced repetition schedules each card to come back just before you would forget it, so reviews get shorter as your recall gets stronger. Cards you miss come back sooner.

Common mistakes to avoid

Memorizing lists without context

On the test you see a word in a sentence and must pick what fits. Practice by attaching each new word to a person or situation, not just a synonym.

Mixing up look-alike words

Pairs such as capricious/mercurial or esoteric/enigmatic are easy to blur. Note the small difference (mood vs unpredictability, specialized vs mysterious).

Ignoring tone

A word like tenacious is usually positive while recalcitrant is negative. Tone often decides the answer in sentence-completion style questions.

Relying on a single big list

A long generic list wastes time on words you already know. Prioritize the words you actually miss in practice.

Make your own from your notes

A starter set is a head start, not your whole course. Your class notes, slides and textbook are what your teacher actually tests, so turn them into cards too.

Put the word on the front, and a short definition plus one example sentence on the back.
Make a second card type with a sentence and a blank on the front, where the word answers.
Add a contrast word on the back to separate near-synonyms.
Only add words you missed in practice; avoid copying whole lists.

Generate cards from a topic or notes Turn a PDF into flashcards

GRE Vocabulary flashcards: questions

Are these the most common GRE words?

They are words commonly included in GRE preparation lists. ETS does not publish an official word list, so no list can be guaranteed to match any particular test.

How many words should I learn for the GRE?

There is no fixed number. A common approach is to start with a few hundred high-frequency words and then add the words you miss in practice questions.

How do I remember similar-looking words?

Study them as contrast pairs, attach a short image or person to each, and write your own sentence. Adding the opposite word to the card often helps.

Is vocabulary the whole Verbal Reasoning section?

No. Verbal Reasoning also tests reading comprehension and reasoning with text. Vocabulary mostly helps with questions that ask you to pick the word that fits a sentence, and with reading dense passages.

Can I make my own GRE cards from practice tests?

Yes, and it is often better. Add each word you missed with the sentence where it appeared, then review it on a spaced schedule.

Sources and review

These cards are an independent study aid, not official exam content, and are not affiliated with or endorsed by any exam body or publisher. They were written by hand and checked against the sources below on 2026-10-17. Always confirm details with your course materials and the current official documents.

Wiktionary — Wiktionary definitions were looked up for about twenty of the words (for example circumspect, diffident, desultory, pernicious, iconoclast, alacrity, deference, fastidious). The rest were written from general knowledge and not looked up individually.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary — General reference dictionary; not fetched during review (the site blocked automated access).
ETS: GRE General Test — Official ETS preparation page; link checked, the cards do not depend on its content.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Focus on 500-1000 high-frequency words. Our flashcards include the most commonly tested vocabulary.

Start 2-3 months before your test date with daily flashcard practice.

Our vocabulary includes high-frequency words that commonly appear on the GRE verbal section.

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