GMAT Vocabulary List: A-Z Words to Know for GMAT 2025
So, you're gearing up for the GMAT Focus Edition, and you know that a strong vocabulary is needed to ace the Verbal Reasoning section.
While Sentence Correction may no longer feature in the new GMAT format, don’t be fooled, vocabulary is still very much at the heart of the exam.
But here's the twist: the GMAT doesn't just test isolated words; it challenges you to understand and apply vocabulary in context.
Whether you're attempting Reading Comprehension or Critical Reasoning, having a strong vocabulary is absolutely needed.
GMAT Verbal Reasoning Section
As per the latest GMAT exam pattern, the Verbal Reasoning section is designed to test your ability to understand, analyse, and evaluate written material. This section includes two major components:
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Reading Comprehension: You’ll be asked to read and interpret passages that test your ability to extract meaning, make inferences, and apply information.
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Critical Reasoning: Here, you’ll evaluate and strengthen arguments, identify flaws, and draw logical conclusions.
While both sections test your vocabulary, the key to success lies in understanding how words function in context. It’s not about memorising a list of words, it's about knowing how they’re used in sentences to shape meaning.
How Does GMAT Evaluate Vocabulary Skills?
In the GMAT Focus Edition, your vocabulary skills are tested indirectly through reading and reasoning tasks. The test doesn’t ask you for a simple definition of words but expects you to comprehend and interpret them within complex passages. Here’s how it works:
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In Reading Comprehension, words will appear in passages, and you must use context to understand their meaning. The ability to identify subtle differences in meaning is critical.
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In Critical Reasoning, the vocabulary you encounter here will test your understanding of arguments, conclusions, and reasoning. You’ll need to be able to interpret tricky terms and phrases that carry significant weight in an argument.
It’s less about memorising individual words and more about understanding how they work together in larger contexts. Essentially, the GMAT tests your ability to read, reason, and make sense of the information presented.
GMAT Vocabulary List
The right words can make all the difference in understanding complex questions and answering them accurately. This A-Z GMAT vocabulary list covers essential words frequently tested on the exam, helping you expand your vocabulary and improve your score:
Word |
Meaning |
Example |
---|---|---|
A |
||
Abridge |
to shorten or condense, especially in writing |
The editor decided to abridge the long article to fit within the magazine’s word limit. |
Altruistic |
Unselfishly concerned for or devoted to the welfare of others |
His altruistic behaviour made him beloved by all his colleagues. |
Ambivalent |
Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something |
She was ambivalent about accepting the job offer because it required relocating. |
Arduous |
Involving a lot of effort and difficulty |
Climbing the mountain was an arduous task, requiring hours of intense effort. |
Austere |
Severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance |
The austere decor in the office made the space feel cold and unwelcoming. |
B |
||
Benevolent |
Well-meaning and kindly |
The benevolent philanthropist donated a large sum to the children’s hospital. |
Blatant |
Very obvious, unashamed |
His blatant disregard for the rules surprised everyone in the meeting. |
Brusque |
Short, abrupt, and often rude |
His brusque response left everyone at the table in silence. |
Brevity |
Concise and exact use of words |
The brevity of her speech was appreciated, as it was to the point. |
Baffled |
Puzzled or confused |
The confusing instructions left the students completely baffled. |
C |
||
Cognizant |
Aware or conscious of something |
He was cognizant of the challenges ahead but was determined to succeed. |
Credible |
Believable or trustworthy |
The report from the scientist was credible and highly regarded by experts. |
Contrive |
to create or bring about through skill or planning |
The team contrived a brilliant solution to the complex problem. |
Complacent |
Showing uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements |
She was complacent with her recent successes, not realising she could achieve more. |
Cursory |
Hasty and therefore not thorough |
The manager gave a cursory glance at the report before approving it. |
D |
||
Diligent |
Showing care and effort in one’s work |
She was diligent in preparing for the GMAT, revising every day. |
Dubious |
Doubtful or uncertain |
His dubious explanation did not convince the audience. |
Defer |
to postpone or delay |
The meeting was deferred until the following week due to unforeseen circumstances. |
Diminish |
to make or become less |
The manager’s praise for the project did not diminish the hard work required. |
Discord |
Disagreement or lack of harmony |
There was discord within the team over the project’s direction. |
E |
||
Eclectic |
Deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad range of sources |
His eclectic music taste included everything from jazz to techno. |
Epitome |
A perfect example of something |
She was the epitome of professionalism during the conference. |
Exacerbate |
to make a situation worse |
His comments only served to exacerbate the tense atmosphere. |
Exuberant |
Full of energy, excitement, or cheerfulness |
The exuberant crowd cheered as the team scored the winning goal. |
Eloquent |
Fluent or persuasive in speech or writing |
Her eloquent presentation won the admiration of the entire room. |
F |
||
Frugal |
Economical, avoiding waste |
His frugal lifestyle meant he always looked for the best deals when shopping. |
Fervent |
Having or displaying passionate intensity |
She gave a fervent speech about the importance of education. |
Feasible |
Possible and practical |
The new strategy was feasible within the company's current resources. |
Fallacious |
Based on a mistaken belief or unsound reasoning |
His fallacious argument failed to persuade the jury. |
Facilitate |
to make an action or process easier |
The new software will facilitate the entire data analysis process. |
G |
||
Gratuitous |
Unnecessary or unwarranted |
His gratuitous comments about her appearance were uncalled for. |
Gregarious |
Sociable, outgoing |
He was a gregarious host, making everyone feel welcome at the party. |
Grandiose |
Impressive or magnificent but impractical |
The grandiose plans for the new building were eventually scaled down. |
Garrulous |
Excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters |
His garrulous nature made it difficult to get any work done. |
Guile |
Sly or cunning intelligence |
The detective’s guile helped him solve the complex case. |
H |
||
Hubris |
Excessive pride or self-confidence |
His hubris led him to believe he could complete the project without any help. |
Heinous |
Shockingly wicked or criminal |
The heinous crime shocked the entire community. |
Hapless |
Unfortunate or unlucky |
The hapless traveller lost his passport just before his flight. |
Hallowed |
Revered or honoured as holy |
The hallowed tradition of family dinners was upheld every Sunday. |
Harmonic |
Forming a pleasing or consistent whole |
The team’s harmonic collaboration led to a successful project. |
I |
||
Indifferent |
Having no particular interest or sympathy |
She was indifferent to the outcome of the game as it didn’t affect her. |
Infallible |
Incapable of making mistakes |
His method for solving the equation seemed almost infallible. |
Inevitable |
Certain to happen, unavoidable |
The collapse of the building seemed inevitable given the structural damage. |
Ingenuous |
Innocent, simple, and frank |
The ingenuous child asked the most straightforward questions. |
Incisive |
Clear, sharp, and direct |
His incisive remarks left no room for debate. |
J |
||
Juxtapose |
to place two things side by side for comparison |
The artist chose to juxtapose modern art with classical works in the exhibit. |
Jaded |
Tired, bored, or lacking enthusiasm |
After years of working in the same field, she felt jaded by the routine. |
Jovial |
Cheerful and friendly |
His jovial attitude made him the life of the party. |
Judicious |
Showing good judgment or sense |
The judicious decision to invest in stocks paid off handsomely. |
Jarring |
Causing a shock or conflict in a way that is unpleasant |
The jarring noise from the construction site interrupted the meeting. |
K |
||
Keen |
Having a sharp or intense feeling or perception |
She had a keen interest in environmental issues, often volunteering for campaigns. |
Knavery |
Dishonesty or trickery |
The politician was exposed for his knavery in the funding scandal. |
Kinetic |
Related to or produced by motion |
The kinetic energy of the car during the crash was enormous. |
Kudos |
Praise and recognition for an achievement |
He received kudos from his colleagues for the innovative solution. |
Kindred |
Related or similar in character or nature |
They felt a kindred connection, as both were passionate about animal rights. |
L |
||
Lethargic |
Sluggish and lacking in energy |
She felt lethargic after the long flight and needed some rest. |
Luminous |
Emitting light, bright |
The luminous glow of the streetlights made the night seem magical. |
Laudable |
Worthy of praise or approval |
Her efforts to improve the community were laudable. |
Lugubrious |
Looking or sounding sad and dismal |
The film’s lugubrious atmosphere left the audience in tears. |
Lacklustre |
Lacking energy, enthusiasm, or brightness |
His lacklustre performance in the competition surprised his fans. |
M |
||
Meticulous |
Showing great attention to detail |
She was meticulous in checking her GMAT answers before submitting them. |
Morose |
Sullen, gloomy, or depressed |
His morose attitude made it difficult for him to enjoy the celebration. |
Munificent |
Very generous |
The munificent donation helped build a new wing in the hospital. |
Malleable |
Capable of being shaped or influenced |
His ideas were malleable, allowing the team to adjust to new perspectives. |
Monotonous |
Lacking in variety or interest; dull |
The monotonous lecture made it hard to stay focused during the session. |
N |
||
Nefarious |
Wicked or criminal |
The nefarious plot was uncovered before it could cause harm. |
Nostalgic |
Feeling sentimental or wistful about the past |
She felt nostalgic about her childhood as she walked through the old park. |
Nebulous |
Vague, unclear |
His explanation was nebulous, leaving everyone confused about his point. |
Noxious |
Harmful, poisonous |
The noxious chemicals in the factory caused environmental damage. |
Nuance |
A subtle difference or distinction |
The artist captured the nuance of light in her painting perfectly. |
O |
||
Ominous |
Threatening or giving the impression of impending danger |
The ominous clouds signaled an approaching storm. |
Opulent |
Wealthy or luxurious |
The opulent mansion had every amenity imaginable. |
Obsolete |
Outdated or no longer in use |
The old model was considered obsolete after the new version was released. |
Ostentatious |
Characterised by vulgar or pretentious display |
His ostentatious display of wealth made him unpopular with his peers. |
Onerous |
Involving heavy obligations or burdensome |
The onerous task of preparing for the GMAT left him feeling exhausted. |
P |
||
Plausible |
Seemingly reasonable or likely to be true |
His explanation sounded plausible, so the team accepted it. |
Pragmatic |
Dealing with things sensibly and realistically |
She took a pragmatic approach to solving the problem at work. |
Prolific |
Producing large quantities or volumes of something |
The prolific writer produced several best-selling novels in a year. |
Pensive |
Engaged in serious thought, often wistful or reflective |
He sat in a pensive mood, contemplating his future after the exam. |
Perfunctory |
Done with minimal effort or attention |
His perfunctory response did not address the concern effectively. |
Q |
||
Quixotic |
Extremely idealistic, unrealistic |
His quixotic vision of changing the world was inspiring but impractical. |
Quaint |
Attractively unusual or old-fashioned |
The quaint village was the perfect place for a peaceful retreat. |
Quintessential |
Representing the most perfect or typical example of something |
The British tea ceremony is the quintessential English tradition. |
Querulous |
Complaining in a petulant or whining manner |
The querulous customer demanded a refund for a minor issue. |
Quell |
to suppress or put an end to something, especially a rebellion |
The authorities quickly quelled the protests with force. |
R |
||
Resilient |
Able to recover quickly from difficult conditions |
His resilient attitude helped him bounce back from failure. |
Recalcitrant |
Stubbornly disobedient or resistant to authority |
The recalcitrant student refused to follow the school's rules. |
Ravenous |
Extremely hungry |
After the long hike, we were ravenous and devoured everything in sight. |
Recondite |
Difficult to understand, obscure |
The professor’s recondite lecture left many students feeling lost. |
Rhetoric |
The art of persuasive speaking or writing |
His use of rhetoric was so effective that it convinced everyone in the room. |
S |
||
Sagacious |
Wise and showing good judgment |
Her sagacious advice helped me prepare for the challenges ahead. |
Sycophant |
A person who acts obsequiously towards someone important in order to gain advantage |
The sycophant constantly flattered the manager to gain favours. |
Soporific |
Tending to induce sleep or drowsiness |
The lecture was so soporific that half the class fell asleep. |
Serene |
Calm, peaceful, and untroubled |
The serene atmosphere of the lake helped him clear his mind. |
Superfluous |
Exceeding what is necessary or required |
His superfluous comments only distracted from the main discussion. |
T |
||
Tantamount |
Equivalent in seriousness or effect |
His failure to meet the deadline was tantamount to a breach of contract. |
Trivial |
Of little importance or significance |
The arguments were trivial compared to the bigger issues at hand. |
Tantivy |
At a rapid pace, often used in reference to galloping |
The horse rode tantivy towards the finish line, winning the race. |
Trepidation |
A feeling of fear or anxiety |
He approached the final question with trepidation, unsure of the answer. |
Tenuous |
Very weak or slight |
His argument was based on tenuous reasoning, which weakened his point. |
U |
||
Ubiquitous |
Present, appearing, or found everywhere |
Mobile phones have become ubiquitous in modern society. |
Unilateral |
Done or decided by only one person or group |
The unilateral decision to cancel the meeting left others disappointed. |
Uncouth |
Lacking good manners or refinement |
His uncouth behaviour at the dinner table embarrassed his family. |
Undermine |
to weaken or harm something gradually or covertly |
His comments were designed to undermine her authority in the workplace. |
Usurp |
to take a position of power or importance illegally or by force |
The general tried to usurp the throne from the rightful king. |
V |
||
Voracious |
Having a very eager approach to something, especially eating |
He had a voracious appetite and devoured the entire pizza in minutes. |
Vicarious |
Experienced in the imagination through the feelings or actions of another |
She lived vicariously through her friend’s adventures around the world. |
Venerable |
Commanding respect due to age or dignity |
The venerable professor was admired by all his students. |
Vocal |
Expressing opinions openly and strongly |
She was vocal about the need for environmental reform. |
Volatile |
Likely to change rapidly and unpredictably |
The volatile stock market made investors nervous. |
W |
||
Wistful |
Longing or yearning for something, often in a melancholic way |
She looked at the old photos with a wistful smile, missing the past. |
Whimsical |
Playfully quaint or fanciful |
His whimsical idea of turning the office into a treehouse was met with amusement. |
Warranted |
Justified or deserved |
Her actions were warranted given the circumstances. |
Wane |
to decrease in size, extent, or degree |
The moon began to wane, fading into the horizon. |
Wily |
Skilled at gaining an advantage through trickery |
His wily manoeuvres during the negotiation won him the contract. |
X |
||
Xenophobic |
Having or showing a dislike of people from other countries |
The xenophobic comments were met with immediate disapproval. |
Xerophyte |
A plant that can survive in dry conditions |
Cactus plants are xerophytes that thrive in arid deserts. |
Xenial |
Hospitable, especially to strangers |
Their xenial hospitality made visitors feel right at home. |
Xenogeny |
The origin of something foreign or from outside a particular group |
The study of xenogeny explores how cultures adopt foreign practices. |
X-factor |
A noteworthy special talent or quality |
His charisma and leadership skills were his X-factor in landing the role. |
Y |
||
Yen |
A strong desire or craving |
She had a yen for adventure and longed to travel the world. |
Yielding |
Giving way under pressure, flexible |
The tree’s branches were yielding in the strong wind, bending but not breaking. |
Yoke |
to join together, or something that binds |
The yoke of responsibility was heavy, but she bore it gracefully. |
Yonder |
Over there, at some distance |
The castle stood yonder, visible against the setting sun. |
Yowl |
A loud, wailing cry, especially of animals |
The cat let out a loud yowl when it was startled. |
Z |
||
Zealous |
Showing great enthusiasm or energy for a cause |
He was zealous in his support for the local charity. |
Zigzag |
A pattern of sharp turns or angles |
The path to the summit was a zigzag, winding up the steep hill. |
Zephyr |
A gentle breeze, often from the west |
The zephyr cooled us as we sat on the beach at sunset. |
Zenith |
The highest point or peak |
The company reached its zenith in the late 1990s before its decline. |
Zany |
Amusingly unconventional or eccentric |
His zany antics always made the group laugh. |
How to Improve GMAT Vocabulary?
In comparison to the GRE, the vocab is tested through reading comprehension and critical thinking. So, to know the GMAT English vocabulary, we have shortlisted some of the best strategies which can help you to improve your knowledge of GMAT words.
1. Read Magazines & Newspapers
The most reliable way of learning new GMAT words is through reading books, newspapers and magazines. to score well in the GMAT verbal reasoning section, you must be familiarised with the sophisticated English language. In addition to reading story books, you must also read magazines and newspapers such as The Economist, New York Times, National Geographic and Scientific American to gain indispensable knowledge on GMAT vocabulary.
2. Make A List Of Important Vocabulary Words
Make a comprehensive list of all the new vocabulary words you come across along with their meanings. to give an overview we have compiled the most updated GMAT vocabulary list 2025.
3. Make Vocabulary Flashcards
The best way to learn and memorise new words is by making your own GMAT vocabulary flashcards. These flashcards will contain the new vocab words and its usage in context to sentences. If you do not want to prepare manual flashcards, you can use digital flashcards and keep a track of your progress. Take up 5-10 words every day and reshuffle the flashcard deck once you have learned them.
4. Practise GMAT Mock Tests
Whether you are a fresher or repeat test-taker, practising GMAT sample questions will help you get prepared for the actual test day. You can take the GMAT™ Official Starter Kit + Practice Exams 1 & 2 for free to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore, you can take Kaplan's GMAT Test Practice and Magoosh GMAT Practice Test for some extra practice.
5. Use Apps For Vocab Practice
GMAT preparation apps will help you study for GMAT on the go. You can stay updated with the GMAT vocabulary list 2025 with the help of below-listed applications:
- Manhattan Prep GMAT
- Ready4 GMAT (Prep 4 GMAT)
- GMAT Exam Prep (Pocket Prep, Inc.)
- Economist GMAT Tutor
- GMAT Prep Course (Veritas Prep)
Best Books for Practicing GMAT Vocabulary
to truly master the vocabulary required for the GMAT, having the right resources is key. Here are some of the best books to help you along the way:
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The Official Guide for GMAT Review: This book is a staple for anyone preparing for the GMAT. It includes a section dedicated to verbal reasoning, which naturally integrates vocabulary words into context-based questions, offering a solid foundation for vocabulary development.
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Manhattan Prep GMAT Vocabulary Flashcards: Aimed specifically at building your GMAT vocabulary, this set of flashcards covers over 500 words commonly tested on the exam. With its compact design, you can review words anywhere, anytime, perfect for busy schedules.
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Kaplan GMAT Vocabulary Prep: This vocabulary book features a strategic focus on essential GMAT words, categorising them based on their likelihood to appear on the exam. The easy-to-understand explanations, example sentences, and helpful mnemonic devices make learning fun and memorable.
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Barron’s GMAT Vocabulary: If you're looking for a comprehensive approach, Barron’s offers a detailed guide packed with over 1,000 words, complete with meanings, sample sentences, and practice questions. The book also helps with idioms, a critical aspect of GMAT verbal reasoning.
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GMAT Word Problems (Verbal Workbook): A specialised workbook that includes vocabulary learning with verbal reasoning skills. This book helps strengthen your grasp on word meanings by testing you on their usage in various contexts.
From the Desk of Yocket
While preparing for the GMAT Focus Edition, don’t underestimate the power of vocabulary. Even though Sentence Correction is gone, strong vocabulary is still vital, especially for Verbal Reasoning. It's not about memorising lists but understanding how words function in context.
With Yocket Prep, you’ll get targeted practice and tools to strengthen your vocabulary and ace the GMAT. Practising with these words daily will boost your skills for both the test and beyond.Good luck with your prep!