CAT Vocabulary
New Words With Meaning to Increase CAT Vocabulary – The CAT exam focuses on accuracy, while the VARC section tests your critical reasoning ability, not just your language skills. To do better in VARC, you should read a lot to understand words in context. We’ve put together 200+ new words with meanings to help you improve your CAT vocabulary and perform well in VARC. Having a strong vocabulary can increase your chances of success, as words represent knowledge. To learn new words, read regularly, and try to use them in your daily life to remember them better.
Why it is Important to Learn New Words with Meaning to Increase CAT Vocabulary?
Every language has a lot of words, and it’s impossible to remember them all. In the CAT exam, VARC tests your accuracy, not just your language skills. Many CAT aspirants don’t give this section enough attention, and that’s a big mistake. The words in VARC are often hard, and not knowing their meanings can make it confusing to answer easy questions. Under stress, you might pick the wrong answer, and remember, for each wrong answer, you lose points due to negative marking.
Learning new words with their meanings is crucial when preparing for the CAT exam. Here’s why it’s important, step by step:
1. Increase in Vocabulary: Learning new words expands your vocabulary. It means you know more words and their meanings, which is a big advantage during the CAT exam.
2. Sharpens and Enriches Your Thinking Ability: A rich vocabulary allows you to think more precisely and clearly. You can express your thoughts in a more detailed and accurate manner.
3. Builds Self-Assurance: Knowing a wide range of words boosts your confidence. It helps you approach the exam with self-assurance, knowing you can understand and answer questions effectively.
4. Helps in Effective Expression of Thoughts: CAT is not just about knowing the right answer but also being able to explain your thought process. A strong vocabulary enables you to articulate your answers better.
5. Improvement of Reading Comprehension: Many CAT questions require a deep understanding of passages or texts. Knowing the meaning of words within those passages can significantly enhance your reading comprehension skills.
6. Improves Listening and Speaking Skills: A robust vocabulary isn’t just about written words; it also aids in understanding spoken language and expressing yourself clearly when discussing or presenting.
7. Enhances Writing Ability: During CAT preparation, you might have to write essays or responses. A good vocabulary is a valuable asset when it comes to writing effectively and persuasively.
In summary, learning new words and their meanings is an integral part of CAT preparation, as it boosts your vocabulary, refines your thinking, and improves your overall communication skills, which are essential for success in the exam.
List Of New Words With Meaning to Improve Your Verbal Ability
Word | Part of Speech | Meaning |
| Abate | Verb | Collapse or lessen |
| Abdicate | Verb | Give up the powers (monarchs and royals) |
| Accede | Verb | Yielding to someone’s wish |
| Acrophobia | Noun | Morbid dread of heights |
| Acumen | Noun | Mental keenness, the ability to understand and judge things quickly and clearly |
| Affluence | Noun | Wealth, the state of having a lot of money |
| Agoraphobia | Noun | Morbid dread of open spaces |
| Alma Mater | Noun | One’s school or college |
| Amicable | Adjective | Friendly |
| Anachronous | Adjective | Belonging to a different time |
| Animosity | Noun | A strong feeling of anger and not liking somebody/something |
| Animus | Noun | Hostility or ill feeling |
| Anomalous | Adjective | Unusual, different from what is normal |
| Antipathy | Noun | A strong feeling of not liking somebody/something |
| Apathetic | Adjective | Indifferent, uninterested, uninvolved |
| Apprise | Verb | To inform or notify |
| Atheist | Noun | Disbeliever in God |
| Atrophy | Verb | To become weaker, (of a body part) to be reduced in size and therefore strength |
| Attenuate | Verb | Weaken, to make something weaker or less effective |
| Audacious | Adjective | Showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks |
| Austere | Adjective | Severe, strict, very simple without decoration |
| Backfire | Verb | Rebound or boomerang |
| Baffling | Adjective | Puzzling, extremely confusing to understand |
| Bale | Noun | Bundle or bunch |
| Bask | Verb | Laze or Revel in (something relaxing) |
| Benefaction | Noun | Good deed, act of charity or kindness |
| Cache | Noun | Hoard or Stockpile |
| Cacography | Noun | Ugly, bad handwriting |
| Caliber | Noun | Level of ability or distinction in someone’s character |
| Callous | Adjective | Heartless or uncaring |
| Celerity | Noun | Swiftness of movement |
| Chauvinism | Noun | Excessive patriotism |
| Chronic | Adjective | Recurring, continuing over a long period of time |
| Circumlocution | Noun | Talking around; method of talking indirectly or in a roundabout way |
| Circumspect | Adjective | Cautious, thinking very carefully about something before you do it |
| Circumspection | Noun | Care, watchfulness, caution, alertness |
| Clandestine | Adjective | Secret and often not legal |
| Cogency | Noun | Persuasiveness through logic; keen-mindedness in reasoning |
| Collusion | Noun | Plotting and planning, secret agreement especially for illegal purposes |
| Commandeer | Verb | Take possession of something for military or police use |
| Concatenate | Verb | Link together in a chain of series |
| Condonation | Noun | Act of overlooking or forgiving an offense or a transgression |
| Congenital | Adjective | From birth |
| Consummate | Adjective | Extremely skilled, a perfect example of something |
| Convivial | Adjective | Friendly in atmosphere or character |
| Credulous | Adjective | Willing to believe, gullible, trusting |
| Creed | Noun | A set of beliefs or principles (especially religious beliefs) that strongly influence someone’s life |
| Debase | Verb | Degrade or Devalue |
| Debonair | Adjective | Confident and stylish |
| Deride | Verb | Ridicule |
| Devitalize | Verb | Deprived of strength and vigor |
| Dichotomy | Noun | The separation that exists between two groups or things that are completely opposite to and different from each other |
| Dilettante | Noun | Superficiality |
| Dilettantism | Noun | A lack of the level of skill associated with an expert or profession |
| Disheveled | Adjective | Untidy |
| Docile | Adjective | Compliant or submissive |
| Drawl | Verb | Speak in a slow, lazy way with prolonged vowel sounds |
| Drivel | Noun | Nonsense, talk nonsense |
| Dubious | Adjective | Doubtful, not sure or certain |
| Ebullient | Adjective | Cheerful |
| Eccentric | Adjective | Unconventional |
| Eccentricity | Noun | Strangeness, oddness, unconventionality |
| Egregious | Adjective | Outstandingly bad or vicious |
| Eloquence | Noun | Great, emotional, or artistic expressiveness |
| Elucidate | Verb | Explain |
| Enervated | Adjective | Completely exhausted |
| Epitome | Noun | a perfect example of something |
| Evanescence | Noun | Vanish gradually from sight |
| Exurbs | Noun | Regions far from the city |
| Fallacious | Adjective | False or Incorrect |
| Ferocious | Adjective | Savage or cruel |
| Foible | Noun | Weakness |
| Frugal | Adjective | Economical |
| Furtive | Adjective | Hidden and secret |
| Futile | Adjective | Useless, hopeless, having no success |
| Galore | Adjective | Abundance |
| Gambol | Verb | Frolic, run or jump playfully |
| Gape | Verb | Wide open |
| Garble | Verb | Distorted, confused |
| Garrulity | Noun | Incessant chatter with little meaning |
| Glib | Adjective | Suspiciously smooth, using words in a way that is clever and quick but not sincere |
| Gluttonize | Verb | Stuff oneself like a pig, eat excessively |
| Grandiloquent | Adjective | Using flossy, flowery, elegant or impressive phraseology |
| Graphology | Noun | Analysis or study of handwriting |
| Grapple | Verb | Wrestle or struggle |
| Gregarious | Adjective | Very sociable |
| Gullible | Adjective | Believing and trusting people too easily, and therefore easily tricked |
| Halcyon | Adjective | Serene or pleasant |
| Hoodwink | Verb | Deceive or trick |
| Hypercritical | Adjective | Excessively critical |
| Hypochondriac | Noun | Illness |
| Iconoclast | Noun | Antitradition, a person who doesn’t believe in and is opposed to traditions |
| Impel | Verb | Force or urge |
| Incendiarism | Noun | Malicious setting of fires, as for revenge, etc. |
| Incorrigible | Adjective | Beyond reform, too bad to be corrected or improved (behavior) |
| Incorrigible | Adjective | Beyond correction or reform (a person’s behavior) |
| Incredible | Adjective | Unbelievable |
| Indefatigable | Adjective | Tireless, never giving up or getting tired of something |
| Indefatigable | Adjective | Tireless |
| Ingenious | Adjective | Clever, original, and inventive |
| Ingenuity | Noun | Cleverness in devising or combining |
| Ingenuous | Adjective | A person full of new ideas and clever at finding solutions to problems or at inventing things |
| Innocuous | Adjective | Innocent or Harmless |
| Insurgent | Noun | A rebel, a person fighting against the government or armed forces of their own country |
| Interminable | Adjective | Never-ending, endless |
| Intransigence | Noun | Stubbornness, refusal to change one’s views or to agree about something |
| Intrepid | Adjective | Fearless |
| Intrepid | Adjective | Fearless |
| Intrinsic | Adjective | Inherent or essential |
| Introspective | Adjective | Self-analytical, self-examining |
| Inveterate | Adjective | Form long-standing habit that is unlikely to change |
| Jeopardize | Verb | Endanger (someone/something) |
| Judicious | Adjective | Wise and sensible |
| Juxtapose | Verb | Place something close together |
| Kibble | Verb | Grind or Chop |
| Knighthood | Noun | Title or rank |
| Laconicity | Noun | Great economy in speech, expressing much in few words |
| Lampoon | Verb | Sarcasm or criticizing publicly |
| Limp | Verb | Walking with difficulty |
| Lithe | Adjective | Supple, Agile |
| Ludicrous | Adjective | Unreasonable or Absurd |
| Magnanimous | Adjective | Generous or Benevolent |
| Magnanimous | Adjective | Noble, generous, and forgiving |
| Magnate | Noun | Big wheel, important or influential person |
| Magniloquence | Noun | Floweriness, pompousness, or elegance in speech |
| Magnum Opus | Noun | Great artistic work, masterpiece |
| Malign | Verb | To say or write bad things about someone publicly, especially in an unfair manner |
| Martinet | Noun | A complete disciplinarian |
| Mawkish | Adjective | Over-sentimental |
| Mettle | Noun | Spirit or determination |
| Misogynist | Noun | A man who hates women |
| Misrepresentation | Noun | Deliberately deceiving, the act of giving false information |
| Modicum | Noun | Small quantity of a particular thing |
| Monomaniac | Noun | Single-mindedness |
| Mundane | Adjective | Dull |
| Naive | Adjective | Inexperienced, unworldly, innocent |
| Nascent | Adjective | Being born |
| Neurosis | Noun | Emotional disturbance |
| Nexus | Noun | Series of connection |
| Notorious | Adjective | Unfavourably known |
| Novice | Noun | Beginner or Learner |
| Obsolete | Adjective | Outdated |
| Occult | Noun | Mystical or supernatural |
| Ocular | Adjective | Visual |
| Ominous | Adjective | Suggesting that something unpleasant is going to happen |
| Onus | Noun | Burden or responsibility |
| Pathological | Adjective | Diseased |
| Patriarch | Noun | Man who is the head of the family or social group |
| Patrimony | Noun | Inheritance from one’s father |
| Penury | Noun | Extreme poverty |
| Perdition | Noun | Damnation, hell, eternal punishment |
| Peremptory | Adjective | In a commanding manner |
| Perfunctory | Adjective | Superficial, done quickly as a duty without any interest or feeling |
| Peripatetic | Adjective | Something that is moving from place to place |
| Perspicacious | Adjective | Keen-minded, having a ready insight into and understanding of things |
| Pertinent | Adjective | Relevant |
| Petulant | Adjective | Childishly Bad-tempered |
| Philanthropy | Noun | Charitable works, the desire to promote the welfare of others |
| Phlegmatic | Adjective | Emotionally unresponsive |
| Placidity | Noun | Calmness |
| Prevalent | Adjective | Most common in a particular place or time |
| Pusillanimity | Noun | Lack of courage or determination |
| Quagmire | Noun | Marsh, bog, a difficult, complicated, or dangerous situation |
| Quarry | Noun | Mine for stone, a place from which stone or other materials are or have been extracted |
| Query | Noun | Question |
| Repentance | Noun | Sincere regret |
| Repulsive | Adjective | That causes a strong feeling of disgust |
| Reticence | Noun | Unwillingness to talk, or disclose, out of fear, shyness, reserve, etc. |
| Retrospect | Noun | Looking back on or dealing with past events or situations |
| Retrospect | Noun | A survey or review of the past course of events |
| Reverent | Adjective | Deep Respect |
| Scintillating | Adjective | Sparking or shining brightly |
| Scintillation | Noun | A flash or sparkle of light |
| Scribble | Verb | Writing carelessly |
| Semantics | Noun | Science of the meanings and effects of words |
| Senility | Noun | Deteriorated old age |
| Simulate | Verb | Pretend, to do or make something that looks real but is not real |
| Solace | Noun | Consolation |
| Soliloquy | Noun | Talking or a speech ‘to oneself’ |
| Somber | Adjective | Dark or Serious |
| Sorority | Noun | Sisterhood |
| Speciousness | Noun | Falsity, the fact of seeming to be right or true but really being wrong or false |
| Stoical | Adjective | Uncomplaining |
| Stoicism | Noun | Uncomplaining attitude to pain or trouble |
| Stoke | Verb | Add fuel to, strengthen, to make people feel more strongly |
| Supersede | Verb | Take the place of (a person or a thing previously in authority/use) |
| Sycophant | Noun | A person who praises important or powerful people too much in a way that’s not sincere, flatterer |
| Tacit | Adjective | Understood |
| Tacitness | Noun | State of being understood though not actually expressed |
| Taciturnity | Noun | Unwillingness to engage in conversation |
| Trait | Noun | Characteristic |
| Trepidation | Noun | The feeling of fear or anxiety about something that may happen |
| Tyro | Noun | Beginner |
| Unaccountable | Adjective | Inexplicable |
| Unanimity | Noun | Complete agreement about something among a group of people |
| Unconscionable | Adjective | Without conscious, not right or reasonable |
| Unequivocal | Adjective | Clear and forthright |
| Uproot | Verb | Pull out |
| Urbane | Adjective | Polished, sophisticated, courteous, and refined in manner |
| Uxoricide | Noun | Killing of one’s wife |
| Vacillate | Verb | Swing back and forth in indecision, to waver in mind, will, or feeling |
| Ventriloquism | Noun | The production of the voice in such a way that the sound seems to come from a source other than the vocal organs of the speaker |
| Verbatim | Adjective | Word for word |
| Verbose | Adjective | Wordy |
| Verbosity | Noun | Wordiness |
| Verify | Verb | Confirm or prove |
| Versatile | Adjective | Able to adapt many directions, functions, or activities |
| Virago | Noun | A violent unpleasant woman who is often angry |
| Virtuoso | Noun | An accomplished musician |
| Vital | Adjective | Essential, lively |
| Volition | Noun | The faculty or power of using one’s free will |
| Volubility | Noun | Fluency, ease, and/or rapidity of speech |
| Wearisome | Adjective | Tiring |
| Wintry | Adjective | Cold (in feeling) |
| Yearn | Verb | Longing for something |
How to Learn New Words to Improve Your CAT Vocabulary
Improving your CAT vocabulary involves strategic learning of new words. By following a structured approach, you can enhance your language skills and excel in the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section of the CAT exam.
Step 1: Read Newspapers for CAT Preparation
Start Reading Editorial Sections: Whether you’re a regular reader or not, begin by reading the editorial sections of different newspapers. This is crucial for CAT preparation.
Benefits of Reading Newspapers: Reading newspapers helps boost your general knowledge and prepares you for group discussions and personal interviews. Newspapers contain expert opinions on various subjects and provide updates on global events and technology trends.
Daily Reading Routine: Allocate 40 minutes daily to read different newspapers. Since there’s no set syllabus for the CAT exam, newspapers can be a great starting point for your preparation.
Step 2: List of Newspapers – Online/Offline
Here’s a list of newspapers you can consider reading:
- The Hindu
- Frontline
- The Economist
- The Guardian
- Business Standard
- The Economic Times
- Financial Express
- The Atlantic
- The New York Times
- The New Yorker
Important Note: Avoid replacing newspapers with news channels, as the CAT exam focuses on reading skills, speed, and accuracy.
Step 3: Create a Personal Dictionary for New Words
Be Prepared: Whenever you read a newspaper, an article, or a book, keep a notepad handy or open a Google Doc to create your personal dictionary for new words.
What to Include: In this personal dictionary, add the new words you come across, along with their meanings, synonyms, antonyms, and sentence examples. If time allows, include images to help remember the words visually.
Example: For instance, if you encounter the word “laconic,” record it in your dictionary with its meaning, synonyms, antonyms, and a sentence example to understand its usage.
Step 4: Advantages of Creating a Personal Dictionary
Efficient Vocabulary Building: Spend time building your personal dictionary systematically, as mentioned above. Organize it by date to make revisions easier.
Effective Revision: This dictionary will serve as a valuable resource for CAT preparation. Regularly revising the words you’ve collected will help enhance your vocabulary.
Step 5: Analyze Your VARC Section in Mock Tests
Importance of Mock Tests: As a CAT aspirant, taking mock tests is essential. It helps you assess your performance in different sections.
Focus on VARC Section: Pay close attention to the VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension) section of mock tests.
Analyze Wrong Answers: Review and attempt to solve the questions you answered incorrectly.
Add New Words: Add any new words you encounter in the VARC section of mock tests to your personal dictionary on Google Doc.
Identify Repeated Words: While analyzing mock tests, keep an eye out for words that appear multiple times. These are more likely to show up in the actual CAT exam.
Continuous Revision: The key is to keep revising the words and concepts you’ve learned to reinforce your vocabulary.
Skills Required to Build and Increase CAT Vocabulary
Building and expanding your CAT vocabulary demands specific skills. A well-rounded vocabulary not only enhances your language proficiency but also plays a pivotal role in CAT exam success. This article explores the essential skills needed to effectively increase your word power for CAT preparation.
Step 1: Equal Focus on Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
Equal Time Allocation: Ensure you dedicate equal time to prepare for both the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) sections. Both are essential in CAT preparation.
Step 2: Read Widely, Regardless of Personal Interests
Diverse Reading: Understand that not every topic or subject will pique your interest, but it’s crucial to read them anyway to sharpen your skills.
Step 3: Enhance Your Vocabulary
Daily Vocabulary Building: Aim to be above average in your vocabulary. Allocate a minimum of 40 to 60 minutes each day for reading books, newspapers, and articles.
Familiarize with Jargon**: Get to know the specialized language (jargon) in various fields such as science and technology, literature, philosophy, economics, environmental issues, and politics.
Step 4: Develop Reading and Comprehension Skills
Read and Understand: Cultivate the skill of reading and comprehending different topics in English, whether you have a personal interest in the subject or not.
Step 5: Utilize Post-it Sticky Notes
Daily Vocabulary Practice: Take advantage of Post-it sticky notes. Every day, jot down 8 to 10 new words and their meanings on these notes.
Strategic Placement: Stick these notes on prominent places in your room, like your mirror, desk, or wall. Each time you enter your room, you’ll encounter these notes and reinforce your memory of the words.
Regular Rotation: Change the words on the notes every day or every alternate day to continuously expand your vocabulary.
By following these steps, you can effectively improve and expand your list of new words in your CAT vocabulary.
Tips to Improve Reading for Non-Readers
Improving reading skills, especially for those who are not avid readers, is a valuable endeavor in CAT preparation. This article provides essential tips and strategies to help non-readers enhance their reading abilities and perform better in the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section of the CAT exam.
Step 1: Extra Effort for Non-Readers
Acknowledging the Challenge: Non-readers should recognize that they may need to put in additional effort to prepare for the VARC section because it’s important to increase their CAT vocabulary.
Adjustment Period: Be patient with yourself as it might take a few days or even weeks to get into the rhythm of regular reading.
Step 2: Broaden Your Knowledge
Stay Updated: Reading about various topics, even those not of personal interest, is crucial. It will help you stay informed about general knowledge, including domestic and international affairs, which can be beneficial in both the CAT exam and group discussions/personal interviews (GDPI).
Step 3: Develop Reading Skills
Reading at a Comfortable Pace: Start by reading for 10 minutes daily. This manageable duration helps you ease into the habit of reading.
Gradual Increase: As you get more comfortable with reading, gradually extend the time spent reading.
Step 4: Improve Reading Skills
Stay Focused: Practice slow, focused reading. Don’t rush through the text, and try to understand what you’re reading.
Quick Analysis: Work on your ability to analyze and process answers swiftly. This is crucial for the VARC section.
Read Varied Texts: Practice reading and comprehending text from different topics, such as newspapers, articles, fiction, and non-fiction books.
Step 5: Timed Reading for Speed
Habit Formation: Once you are accustomed to regular reading, shift to timed reading exercises. This helps increase your reading speed over time.
Gradual Progress: Begin with shorter time intervals and progressively increase the time as you become more comfortable with timed reading.
By following these steps, non-readers can effectively prepare for the VARC section in CAT, gradually increasing their reading skills and vocabulary. This will ultimately benefit their performance in the exam and GDPI.
CAT Vocabulary – Frequently Asked Question
Why is building a strong vocabulary important for CAT preparation?
A strong vocabulary is essential for CAT as it helps you understand and answer complex questions, express your thoughts clearly, and improve your reading comprehension skills. It can significantly boost your verbal ability, which is a crucial part of the exam.
How can I efficiently learn and remember new words for CAT?
To efficiently learn new words, create a personal dictionary where you record words, meanings, synonyms, antonyms, and sentence examples. Regularly review and revise these words. Consistent practice is the key to remembering them.
Where can I find new words to add to my CAT vocabulary?
You can find new words in newspapers, books, articles, and online resources. Reading diverse materials exposes you to a wide range of vocabulary. Additionally, you can use apps or websites designed to teach new words.
