Correct Those Commonly Misspelled Words

Coming across commonly misspelled words in your essays and notes is a common experience, but have you ever bothered to look up and correct your ways. Here is a list to get you started:

Word	Meaning
1.    Abate	To become weaker or to decrease in strength
2.    Aberrant	Unusual
3.    Abeyance	Temporary inactivity/suspension
4.    Abscond	To escape from a place secretly
5.    Abstemious	Not eating or drinking too much
6.    Admonish	To warn or disapprove
7.    Adulterate	To corrupt by adding something of poor quality
8.    Aesthetic	Beauty
9.    Aggregate	Add/summation
10.  Alacrity	Promptness in response/willingness
11.  Alleviate	Relieve/lessen
12.  Amalgamate	Combine
13.  Ambiguous	Obscure
14.  Ambivalence	Contradictory attitudes toward a person
15.  Ameliorate	To make something tolerable
16.  Anachronism	Something mistakenly placed in a time where it does not belong
17.  Analogous	Similar
18.  Anomalous	Unexpected
19.  Antipathy	Strong feeling of dislike/grudge
20.  Apathy	Impassiveness
21.  Appease	Pacify
22.  Apprise	To inform
23.  Approbation	Praise/approval
24.  Appropriate	Applicable
25.  Arduous	Very difficult
26.  Artless	True
27.  Ascetic	Having a strict/simple way of living to avoid physical pleasure
28.  Assiduous	Great attention and effort
29.  Assuage	To ease
30.  Attenuate	Depreciate
31.  Audacious	Very confident/daring
32.  Austere	Serious/unfriendly
33.  Autonomous	Independent/self-governing
34.  Aver	To say something in a strong and definite way/affirm
35.  Banal	Uninteresting
36.  Belie	Misrepresent
37.  Beneficent	Producing good
38.  Bolster	A long pillow or cushion
39.  Bombastic	Pompous
40.  Boorish	Resembling a rude person/clownish
41.  Burgeon	To develop quickly/accelerate
42.  Burnish	To make something smooth by rubbing it
43.  Buttress	A structure built against a wall to support it
44.  Cacophonous	Harsh-sounding
45.  Capricious	Changing often and quickly/fickle
46.  Castigation	Harsh punishment/criticism
47.  Catalyst	Something that causes a quick change
48.  Caustic	Having the ability to burn or destroy something through chemicals
49.  Chicanery	Deception
50.  Coagulate	Clot
51.  Coda	Something that ends/completes something else
52.  Cogent	Easy for the mind to believe/compelling
53.  Commensurate	Proportional
54.  Compendium	A collection of things gathered together as a group in the form of a book/anthology
55.  Complaisant	Eager to please people/amiable
56.  Compliant	Willing to comply/submissive
57.  Conciliatory	Likely to pacify
58.  Condone	To allow to continue
59.  Confound	To surprise or confuse/baffle
60.  Connoisseur	An expert in a particular subject
61.  Cumbersome	Complicated/hard to do
62.  Debilitate	Weaken
63.  Decorum	Proper behavior/decency
64.  Deduce	To decide/conclude
65.  Déjà vu	A feeling that one has experienced something before
66.  Deify	To treat like a god/goddess
67.  Delectable	Very attractive
68.  Demure	Reserved/modest
69.  Deplorable	Wretched
70.  Dialectic	A philosophy that is a method of examining opposing ideas in order to find the truth
71.  Dichotomy	Paradox/division into two groups
72.  Eclectic	Composed of things drawn from various sources/assorted
73.  Eccentric	Strange
74.  Elicit	To draw forth/evoke
75.  Elusive	Hard to understand/evasive
76.  Emanate	To come out from a source/discharge
77.  Enigmatic	Mysterious
78.  En masse	All together/as a whole
79.  Endemic	Growing in a certain place/aboriginal
80.  Eradicate	Remove/abolish
81.  Evasive	Equivocal
82.  Faux pas	Embarrassing social mistake
83.  Fiasco	A complete failure
84.  Futility	Uselessness
85.  Fortuitous	Occurring by chance
86.  Formidable	Very powerful/strong
87.  Fractious	Troublesome
88.  Funereal	Very sad and serious
89.  Fledging	To acquire feathers large enough for flight
90.  Fidelity	Being faithful/loyal
91.  Flippant	Lacking proper respect
92.  Galvanize	To cause something/someone to become active
93.  Gamut	A series of related things
94.  Gargantuan	Very large in size or amount
95.  Globular	Circular
96.  Gormandize	To eat greedily/gorge/overeat
97.  Grandeur	A great and impressive quality/brilliance
98.  Gradation	A series forming successive stages
99.  Gregarious	Enjoying the company of other people/clubbable
100.               Gratuitous	Inappropriate
101.               Halcyon	Very happy/successful
102.               Haphazard	Having no plan//direction
103.               Hapless	Unfortunate
104.               Herculean	Of extraordinary power
105.               Hiatus	Break/discontinuity
106.               Ignoble	Not deserving respect
107.               Ignominious	Causing disgrace or shame
108.               Illicit	Illegal
109.               Impasse	Deadlock/no progress is possible
110.               Impertinent	Rude
111.               Jocular	Liking to tell jokes/witty
112.               Jettison	To get rid
113.               Jejune	Uninteresting
114.               Juxtapose	To  place side by side to create an interesting effect
115.               Jingoistic	Extreme nationalism
116.               Kibosh	Serves as a stop
117.               Kinetic	Movable/movement of specific objects
118.               Kudos	Praise/respect received because of something that has been done
119.               Keynote	The most important idea/part of something
120.               Kinesiology	The study of the principles of mechanics and anatomy in relation to human movement
121.               Laconic	Using few words in speech or writing
122.               Laggard	Dilatory
123.               Lascivious	Lustful
124.               Latent	Something that exists but is inactive/unseen
125.               Lethargic	Lack of energy/interest in doing things
126.               Levity	A lack of seriousness
127.               Liaison	A person who helps organizations or groups to work together and provide information to each other
128.               Loquacious	Talkative
129.               Ludicrous	Very foolish/comedic
130.               Lucid	Very clear and easy to understand
131.               Malignant	Very serious and dangerous/likely to spread in a rapid and uncontrolled way that can cause death
132.               Maniacal	Affected with madness
133.               Masticate	To chew
134.               Maverick	Someone who refuses to follow the rules
135.               Mawkish	Very sad or romantic in an exaggerated way
136.               Megalomania	Mental illness that causes people to think that they have great power or importance
137.               Mendacious	Dishonest/likely to tell lies
138.               Mesmerize	Bedazzle
139.               Misconstrue	Misinterpret
140.               Mnemonic	Something that helps people remember something
141.               Narcissistic	Vain
142.               Narcolepsy	A medical condition in which someone suddenly falls into a deep sleep while talking/working
143.               Nascent	Beginning to exist/aborning
144.               Nefarious	Evil
145.               Ne plus ultra	The highest point capable of being attained
146.               Noblesse Oblige	The idea that people who have high social rank or wealth should be helpful and generous to people who are poor
147.               Nocturnal	Active mainly during the night
148.               Nom de guerre	Pseudonym
149.               Nonchalance	Apathy
150.               Non sequitur	Not related to the premises
151.               Oblivious	Clueless
152.               Obsequious	Too eager to help or obey someone important
153.               Obsolete	No longer used by anyone/archaic
154.               Onus	The responsibility for something
155.               Optimal	Best or most effective
156.               Opus	An important work done by a writer, painter, etc.
157.               Onerous	Difficult or unpleasant to deal with
158.               Ostensibly	To all outward appearances
159.               Ostracize	To not allow someone to be included in a group
160.               Onomatopoeia	The creation of words that imitate natural sounds
161.               Pacify	To cause to become calm or quiet
162.               Pandemic	An occurrence in which a disease spreads very quickly
163.               Paradigm	A theory or group of ideas about how something should be done
164.               Paragon	A model of excellence or perfection
165.               Paroxysm	A sudden strong feeling or expression of emotion that cannot be controlled
166.               Paucity	A small amount of something
167.               Peccadillo	A small mistake or fault that is not regarded as very bad or serious
168.               Pedantic	Unimaginative/dull
169.               Penultimate	Occurring immediately before the last one
170.               Perennial	Happening again and again
171.               Perpetuate	To cause something to continue
172.               Peruse	To examine or read in a very careful way
173.               Pervasive	Existing in every part of something
174.               Picayune	Something trivial
175.               Pinnacle	The most important part of something
176.               Placid	Not easily upset or excited
177.               Platonic	Having a close relationship in which there is no romance or sex
178.               Plethora	A very large amount or number/abundance
179.               Polarize	To cause to separate into opposing groups
180.               Polemics	Strong written or spoken attack against someone else’s opinions, beliefs, practices
181.               Portend	To be a sign or warning that something usually bad or unpleasant is going to happen
182.               Posit	To suggest especially in order to start a discussion
183.               Potable	Safe to drink/drinkable
184.               Pragmatic	Relating to a practical point of view
185.               Precarious	Unsteady/unsafe
186.               Precedent	The usual or traditional way of doing something
187.               Precocious	Having or showing the qualities or abilities of an adult at an unusually early age
188.               Preemptive	Done to stop an unwanted act by another group from happening
189.               Pretense	A false reason or explanation that is used to hide the real purpose of something
190.               Primordial	Existing from the beginning of time/ancient
191.               Pristine	In perfect condition
192.               Prodigal	Wasteful expenditure
193.               Procrastinate	To be slow or late about doing something that should be done
194.               Proliferate	To increase in number or amount quickly
195.               Promiscuity	Miscellaneous mingling or selection of persons
196.               Protégé	One who is protected or trained or whose career is furthered by a person of experience
197.               Protocol	A system of rules that explain the correct conduct and procedures to be followed
198.               Proverbial	Commonly spoken of/resembling a proverb
199.               Prudent	Having or showing careful good judgment
200.               Pulchritude	Physical comeliness
201.               Raconteur	Someone who is good at telling stories
202.               Raillery	Friendly joking about or with somebody
203.               Raiment	Clothing/garments
204.               Raison d’être	Reason or justification for existence
205.               Rambunctious	Uncontrolled in a way that is playful or full of energy
206.               Ramification	Something that is the result of an action, decision, etc.
207.               Rancor	An angry feeling of hatred or dislike for someone who has treated you unfairly
208.               Rapacity	The quality of always wanting more money
209.               Rapprochement	The development of friendlier relations between countries or groups of people who have been enemies
210.               Ratiocinate	reason
211.               Recalcitrant	Stubbornly refusing to obey rules or orders
212.               Recant	To publicly say that you no longer have an opinion or belief you once had/abnegate
213.               Recapitulate	To give a brief summary
214.               Reciprocity	A situation or relationship in which two people or groups agree to do something
215.               Recriminate	To accuse in return
216.               Rectitude	The quality of being honest and morally correct/righteousness
217.               Redact	To put in writing
218.               Redolent	Having a strong smell
219.               Reflexive	Happening or done without thinking as a reaction to something
220.               Rejoinder	A usually rude or angry reply to something
221.               Salacious	Relating to sex in a way that is excessive or offensive
222.               Salient	Very important
223.               Salubrious	Making good health possible or likely
224.               Sangfroid	The ability to stay calm in difficult matters
225.               Sapient	Possessing or expressing great insights/wise
226.               Sardonic	Showing that you disapprove of or do not like someone or something
227.               Sartorial	Of or relating to clothes
228.               Satiety	A feeling or condition of being full after eating food
229.               Saturnine	Very serious and unhappy
230.               Satyr	A lecherous man
231.               Savoir faire	The ability to behave in a correct and confident way in different situations
232.               Scintilla	A very small amount
233.               Scion	A person who was born into a rich, famous, or important family
234.               Secular	Not spiritual
235.               Sedentary	Not doing much physical activity
236.               Serendipity	Luck that takes the form of finding valuable or pleasant things that are not looked for
237.               Sinecure	A job or position in which someone is paid to do little or no work
238.               Sojourn	A period of time when you stay in a place as a traveler or guest/visit
239.               Spurious	Not genuine
240.               Supercilious	Having or showing the proud and unpleasant attitude of people who think that they are better or more important than other people
241.               Tabula Rasa	A mind not yet affected by experiences
242.               Taciturn	Tending to be quiet/closemouthed
243.               Tangential	Slightly or indirectly related to something
244.               Tantamount	Equal to something
245.               Tautology	A statement in which you repeat a word, idea, etc. in a way that is not necessary
246.               Teleological	Exhibiting or relating to design or purpose especially in nature
247.               Temerity	The quality of being confident and unafraid of danger in a way that seems rude or foolish
248.               Temper	to make something less severe
249.               Tempestuous	Full of strong emotions
250.               Tenet	A belief or idea that is very important to a group
251.               Tendentious	Strongly favoring a particular point of view in a way that may cause argument
252.               Tenacious	Not easily stopped/very determined to do something/firm or strong
253.               Tete-a-tete	A private conversation between two persons
254.               Thaumaturge	Performing miracles
255.               Titular	Having an important or impressive title but not having the power that usually goes with it
256.               Toothsome	Having a pleasing taste/appetizing
257.               Tractable	Easily managed or controlled/amenable
258.               Transient	Not lasting long/brief
259.               Tryst	An agreement (usually by two lovers) to meet
260.               Tumid	Marked by swelling/overinflated
261.               Ubiquitous	Seeming to be seen everywhere/common
262.               Umbrage	a feeling of being offended by what someone has said or done
263.               Unassuming	Not showing desire to be noticed or praised/humble
264.               Unbridled	Not controlled or limited
265.               Unceremonious	Happening or done very suddenly and quickly
266.               Unctuous	Used to describe someone who speaks and behaves in a way that is meant to seem friendly and polite but that is unpleasant because it is obviously not sincere/fake
267.               Ungainly	Moving in an awkward or clumsy way
268.               Unilateral	Involving only one group or country
269.               Unimpeachable	Very reliable and trusted
270.               Unsavory	Unpleasant or offensive
271.               Vacuous	Having or showing a lack of intelligence or serious thought/devoid
272.               Vagary	An erratic, unpredictable, or extravagant manifestation, action, or notion/caprice
273.               Vainglorious	Having or showing too much pride in your abilities or achievements
274.               Vapid	Note lively/uninteresting
275.               Vanguard	The group of people who are the leaders of an action or movement in society, politics, etc.
276.               Vehement	Showing strong and often angry feelings/aggressive
277.               Venal	Willing to do dishonest things in return for money/corruptible
278.               Venial	Not serious/excusable
279.               Veracity	Truth or accuracy/integrity
280.               Verdant	Green
281.               Vers libre	Free verse
282.               Vignette	A short written description
283.               Vociferous	Expressing feelings or opinions in a very loud or forceful way/blatant
284.               Wanderlust	A strong desire to travel
285.               Wane	To become smaller or less
286.               Wanton	Showing no thought or care for the rights, feelings, or safety of others
287.               Watershed	A time when an important change happens
288.               Wayfaring	Travelling from place to place usually by walking
289.               Weltschmerz	A mood of sentimental sadness
290.               Wherewithal	The money, skill, etc. that is needed to get or do something
291.               Xanadu	An idyllic, exotic, or luxurious place
292.               Xenophile	One attracted to foreign things
293.               Yahoo	A person who is very rude, loud, or stupid
294.               Xenophobic	Someone who fears or hates strangers or foreigners
295.               Yawnful	Arousing yawns as a result of boredom
296.               Za-zen	Meditation in a prescribed, cross-legged posture
297.               Zeitgeist	The general beliefs, ideas, and spirit of a time and place
298.               Zest	Lively excitement
299.               Zenith	The strongest or most successful period of time
300.               Yammer	To talk in an annoying way usually for a long time