Vocabulary 5

1. Shenanigans (noun): secret or dishonest activity or maneuvering.
The teenagers pulled so many shenanigans during high school that the principle knew them very well. 
2. Ricochet (noun):  a glancing rebound; verb spring back; spring away from an impact
The racket ball ricocheted off of the glass wall and hit the player in the behind. 
3. Schism (noun):  division of a group into opposing factions; the formal separation of a church into two churches or the withdrawal of one group over doctrinal differences
The churches schism led to a new church being formed, which would be led by one side and the other side would take over the existing church. 
4. Eschew (verb): avoid and stay away from deliberately; stay clear of
The student eschewed the teacher because she had not done any homework nor gone to class in a week. 
5. Plethora (noun): extreme excess
The plethora of clothes would not fit into the walk in closet, which led to the owner having to get rid of some. 
6. Ebullient (adj.): joyously unrestrained, cheerful and full of energy
The ebullient cheerleaders were loud and peppy at the football game. which their team won. 
7. Garrulous (adj.) excessively talkative, especially full of trivial conversation
The garrulous grandfather would not stop talking about past historical events. 
8. Harangue (noun): a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion; verb deliver a harangue to; address forcefully
The harangue given by the man about religion lasted two hours and offended many people. 
9. Interdependence (noun): a reciprocal relation between interdependent entities (objects or individuals or groups)
Sunscreen and bathing suits are interdependent, you must wear sunscreen to protect the parts of the body that aren't covered by the bathing suit. 
10. Capricious (adj.): determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason; changeable
The capricious girl decided she didn't want to go to dinner at Olive Garden after they had already been seated. 
11. Loquacious (adj.): tending to talk a great deal; talkative.
The girl was very loquacious, which annoyed the teacher very much and led to her being seated by herself. 
12. Ephemeral (adj.):  lasting a very short time; noun anything short-lived, as an insect that lives only for a day in its winged form
The ephemeral winter was only one month, which disappointed those who love the winter time. 
13. Inchoate (adj.): only partly in existence; imperfectly formed
The inchoate democracy had not been completed but had only just begun. 
14. Juxtapose (verb): place side by side for contrasting effect
Many authors juxtapose in their writing in order to help create a more clear understanding for the reader. 
15. Perspicacious (adj.):  acutely insightful and wise; mentally acute or penetratingly discerning
The perspicacious student always came to class with prior research and ready to answer questions.
16. Codswallop (noun): nonsensical talk or writing
The girl was talking codswallop, no one could understand what she was saying. 
17. Mungo (noun): a low-grade wool from felted rags or waste.
The great clothes maker made an unusual quilt made from mungo. 
18. Sesquipedelian (adj.): (of a word) polysyllabic; long.
The sesquipedelian was always impressing others with her vocabulary and intelligence. 
19. Wonky (adj.): inclined to shake as from weakness or defect; turned or twisted toward one side
The house was full of wonky picture frames, which made it seem like the wall was not straight. 
20. Diphthong (noun): a vowel sound that starts near the articulatory position for one vowel and moves toward the position for another
Diphthongs are found in words such as toil or bite, in which the vowels have two different sounds.