SAT Vocabulary #1

Perfunctory

• (Of an action or gesture) carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection.

• (Of a task) done with great enthusiasm and care.

• (Of a person) showing deep thought and consideration.

• (Of a gesture) performed with excessive energy.

Surreptitious

• Kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of.

• Openly acknowledged and accepted.

• Easily visible and apparent.

• Publicly discussed and debated.

Paradigm

• A typical example or pattern of something; a model.

• A complex mathematical equation.

• A historical event that changed society.

• A type of musical composition.

Ambivalent

• Having clear and definite feelings about something or someone.

• Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.

• Being indifferent or apathetic towards something or someone.

• Having a strong preference for one option over another.

Ubiquitous

• Present, appearing, or found everywhere.

• Rare and hard to find.

• Only present in specific locations.

• Occasionally seen in certain areas.

Verbose

• Using or expressed in more words than are needed.

• Concise and to the point.

• Lacking sufficient detail.

• Expressing ideas in a straightforward manner.

Ephemeral

• Lasting for a very short time.

• Lasting for a long time.

• Occasionally occurring.

• Permanently existing.

Pragmatic

• Dealing with things sensibly and realistically based on practical considerations.

• Focusing on theoretical concepts without practical application.

• Making decisions based solely on emotions and feelings.

• Ignoring practical aspects in favor of idealism.

Expeditious

• Done with speed and efficiency.

• Done in a slow and careful manner.

• Done with great difficulty and effort.

• Done without any planning.