The Words You Should Know to Sound Smart

by Bobbi Bly

  epistolary (eh-PISS-toe-lar-ee), adjective

  Having to do with writing or letters or other literary works.

  Madeline continues the EPISTOLARY tradition by eschewing e-mail, opting for fine parchment and her great-grandfather’s diamond-encrusted quill pen for her correspondence.

  eponymous (eh-PON-eh-muss), adjective

  To be named after something, such as a child being named after his grandfather or the mythical Romulus giving his name to Rome.

  Josephine spends as much time as possible sailing in her EPONYMOUS yacht.

  equable (ECK-wuh-bull), adjective

  Unvarying, steady, and free from extremes.

  “He spake of love, such love as spirits feel / In worlds whose course is EQUABLE and pure.” – William Wordsworth, British Romantic poet

  equanimity (ee-kwa-NIM-ih-tee), noun

  The ability to keep one’s cool during times of stress, conflict, or trouble.

  When his mother locked her keys in the car, her young son responded with surprising EQUANIMITY.

  equivocate (ee-KWIV-uh-kate), verb

  To change one’s mind or be unable to stick with a decision or resolution; to vacillate in one’s opinion or position.

  The candidate seemed to EQUIVOCATE on the energy crisis with each speech he made.

  ersatz (Er-ZATS), adjective

  A phony, a fake, a counterfeit, an inferior copy, a pale imitation of an original.

  Before his sentencing and jail term, the artist made an impressive living selling ERSATZ Rembrandt paintings.

  erudite (AIR-yoo-dyte), adjective

  Sophisticated; well educated; deeply learned; knowledgeable; scholarly.

  Beneath his ERUDITE image, Dr. John Brinkley was a money-grubbing con man.

  esoteric (es-oh-TER-ik), adjective

  Something known or appreciated by an elite few who have the taste, sophistication, and education to understand its merits.

  “My ESOTERIC doctrine, is that if you entertain any doubt, it is safest to take the unpopular side in the first instance.” – William Lamb Melbourne, British prime minister

  ethereal (eh-THEER-ee-uhl), adjective

  Light and airy; possessing a heavenly or celestial quality.

  “ETHEREAL, their mauve / almost a transparent gray, / their dark veins / bruise-blue.” – Denise Levertov, British-born American poet

  ethos (EE-thos), noun

  The core principles or beliefs of a religion, culture, or community.

  Even the eating of cheese violates the ETHOS of the vegan culture.

  etiolate (EE-tee-uh-late), verb

  To cause something to become weak and appear sickly.

  Over time, Brad’s excesses—and his refusal to see a plastic surgeon—increasingly ETIOLATED his once-handsome appearance.

  euphemism (YOU-feh-miz-im), noun

  A synonym that is less offensive than the word it is used to replace.

  “The doctor told me I’m big boned,” said Chuck defensively. “That’s just a EUPHEMISM for fat,” his brother said meanly.

  euphuism (YOU-few-iz-im), noun

  A phrase, sentence, or thought expressed in an ornate, flowery, overly elaborate style of writing, often making the exact meaning difficult to discern.

  Felicia’s words are full of EUPHUISM, particularly when describing the architecture of her family’s various houses.

  euphony (YOU-fone-ee), noun

  The habit of changing the pronunciation of words or the wording of phrases so they are pleasing to the ear and roll off the tongue with greater ease.

  In finishing school, Alsace learned the art of EUPHONY, and she has parlayed that into a hobby of earning roles in television commercials.

  eustasy (YEW-stah-see), noun

  A change in sea level caused by melting of ice, movement of ocean floors, or major deposits of sediment.

  Global warming is already triggering EUSTASY with the melting of the polar ice caps.

  evanescent (ev-eh-NESS-ent), adjective

  Having the qualities of a mist or vapor, capable of vanishing seemingly into thin air.

  “Nobody thinks it’s silly to invest two hours’ work in two minutes’ enjoyment; but if cooking is EVANESCENT, well, so is the ballet.” – Julia Child, American cook, author, and television personality

  evince (ee-VINCE), verb

  To reveal or indicate the presence of a particular feeling or condition.

  The blocky lines of Van Gogh’s paintings EVINCE a feeling of depression and madness.

  exacerbate (egg-ZASS-err-bayt), verb

  To take action that makes a situation worse or aggravates it further.

  The problem with the mission was further EXACERBATED when the outer tiles ripped away from the space shuttle.

  excoriate (eggs-KORE-ee-ate), verb

  To criticize; to attempt to censure or punish.

  We EXCORIATED Melanie for inviting people with no family connections to her birthday party.

  exculpate (EKS-kull-payte), verb

  To prove the innocence of someone suspected of being guilty, or free someone from an obligation or burden.

  Gerald Ford’s pardon EXCULPATED Richard Nixon legally, but history consigned him to the role of a disgraced president forever.

  execrate (EGGS-eh-krayt), verb

  To loath; to subject to scorn and derision.

  We EXECRATED William for weeks due to his casual rejection of an invitation to join Yale’s Skull and Bones.

  exemplar (eggs-EM-plar), noun

  A role model, a shining example of a desired state, status, or behavior.

  “The system—the American one, at least—is a vast and noble experiment. It has been polestar and EXAMPLAR for other nations.” – Phyllis McGinley, American poet

  exhort (ig-ZORT), verb

  To urge or advise earnestly.

  “The function of the moralist is not to EXHORT men to be good but to elucidate what the good is.” – Walter Lippman, American journalist

  exigency (EKS-ih-jen-see), noun

  A condition or problem of some urgency, such that when it arises, it requires an immediate effort to alleviate or solve it.

  “We should never despair, our Situation before has been unpromising and has changed for the better, so I trust, it will again. If new difficulties arise, we must only put forth New Exertions and proportion our Efforts to the EXIGENCY of the times.” – George Washington

  existential (eggs-ih-STEN-shul), adjective

  Refers to ideas, beliefs, and philosophies that support the belief in free will and the freedom of the individual.

  “No phallic hero, no matter what he does to himself or to another to prove his courage, ever matches the solitary, EXISTENTIAL courage of the woman who gives birth.” – Andrea Dworkin, American radical feminist and author

  expropriate (eks-PRO-pree-ate), verb

  To seize property or wealth from its owner for the public’s use or benefit, as when the state takes someone’s home under eminent domain to build a road through it.

  The Bradfords are still reeling from the fact that the state EXPROPRIATED a portion of their formal gardens for a new highway.

  expurgate (EKS-per-gate), transitive verb

  To purge sexually inappropriate, disgusting, or otherwise undesirable material prior to presentation.

  For her parents’ benefit, Marina EXPURGATED stories related to the weekend she spent slumming in Greenwich Village.

  extemporaneous (eks-tem-POOR-ayne-ee-us), adjective

  Off the cuff; done without preparation.

  My ability to speak EXTEMPORANEOUSLY makes me very comfortable speaking in front of a group that asks a lot of questions.

  extol (eks-TOLE), verb

  To praise with great enthusiasm.

  Iris has not ceased to EXTOL the virtues of her new Romain Jerome Day & Night Watch.

  expunge (eks-PUNJ), verb

  To rid oneself of an annoyance; to cast out; to get rid of; to forcibly eject.r />
  “There is no man, however wise, who has not at some period of his youth said things, or lived in a way the consciousness of which is so unpleasant to him in later life that he would gladly, if he could, EXPUNGE it from his memory.” – Marcel Proust, French novelist, essayist, and critic

  extrapolate (eks-TRAP-oh-late), verb

  To infer, by taking known information into account.

  The tasteful four-carat diamond on her finger allowed us to EXTRAPOLATE that Portia had accepted James’s proposal.

  “Never lose sight of the fact that

  all human FELICITY lies in

  man’s imagination, and that he

  cannot think to attain it unless

  he heeds all his caprices.”

  Marquis de Sade, French aristocrat

  and revolutionary

  F

  façade (fah-SAHD), noun

  The front of a building; a deceptive appearance masking a thing’s true nature.

  “A good man often appears gauche simply because he does not take advantage of the myriad mean little chances of making himself look stylish. Preferring truth to form, he is not constantly at work upon the FAÇADE of his appearance.” – Iris Murdoch, Irish writer and philosopher

  facetious (fuh-SEE-shus), adjective

  Comments made specifically to get a laugh out of those around you; something said in jest; sarcastic.

  “Boarding school manners and attitudes—stoic denial, FACETIOUS irony—are still deeply entrenched in the character of the country.” – Jonathan Raban, British travel writer and novelist

  facile (FASS-ill), adjective

  Accomplished easily and with little effort.

  “The hunger for FACILE wisdom is the root of all false philosophy.” - George Santayana, Spanish-born American author and philosopher

  faction (FAK-shin), noun

  A small dissenting group within a larger one.

  “I will keep where there is wit stirring, and leave the FACTION of fools.” – William Shakespeare

  factitious (fack-TISH-uss), adjective

  Contrived; fabricated.

  At first, we thought the rumor FACTITIOUS, but then we learned that couture-producer Hermes does, in fact, plan to design and market a helicopter.

  fallacious (fuh-LAY-shus), adjective

  An idea or conclusion based on one or more false assumptions.

  Since my online subscriber list is double opt-in, accusing me of being a spammer is a wholly FALLACIOUS assumption.

  fallible (FAL-ih-bull), adjective

  Capable of screwing up, making errors, or being wrong.

  At a fairly young age children realize their parents are eminently FALLIBLE.

  farcical (FAR-sih-kuhl), adjective

  Ludicrous, absurd, or laughably inept.

  “To conjure up such ridiculous questions, the answers to which we all know or should know are in the negative, is to build up a whimsical and FARCICAL straw man which is not only grim but Grimm.” – Tom C. Clark, Supreme Court Justice

  farouche (fah-ROSH), adjective

  To become sullen, shy, or withdrawn in the presence of company.

  His FAROUCHE demeanor gave people the impression that he didn’t like them, when in fact, he was merely an introvert.

  fastidious (fah-STID-ee-us), adjective

  To be particular about things, particularly good housekeeping and personal hygiene; to place great importance on even the smallest of details.

  “A FASTIDIOUS person in the throes of love is a rich source of mirth.” – Martha Duffy, Arts editor, Time magazine

  fatuous (FACH-oo-us), adjective

  Trivial, silly, absurd, unimportant, pointless.

  “I’m sick of pretending that some FATUOUS male’s self-important pronouncements are the objects of my undivided attention.” – Germaine Greer, Australian writer and scholar

  Faustian (FOW-stee-in), adjective

  Evil; malicious; dark and brooding with malevolent intent; demonic; satanic; having sold one’s soul to the devil—metaphorically or literally—in exchange for wealth and power.

  In the movie The End of Days a group of police officers make a FAUSTIAN bargain with Satan himself.

  faux (FOH), adjective

  Fake; phony; artificial.

  She wore a cheap second-hand dress and a FAUX pearl necklace made out of white beads.

  faux pas (FOH pah), noun

  A serious breach of social protocol or etiquette.

  Looking a Japanese business customer directly in the eye during conversation is considered an egregious FAUX PAS not easily forgiven.

  fealty (FEE-ul-tea), noun

  A sense of obligation or loyalty, usually existing because one person feels beholden to another.

  The only reason that Bryson pledged FEALTY to David is because David’s social connections helped Bryson get a job on Wall Street.

  feckless (FEK-less), adjective

  Possessing an air of casual indifference; lacking definitiveness of purpose.

  Some accuse us of being FECKLESS, but they have no idea how difficult it is to live a wealth-infused lifestyle.

  fecundity (Fe-KUN-di-tee), noun

  A person, organization, resource, or activity that is exceptionally productive, creative, fertile, or fruitful.

  “Blistering heat suddenly took the place of Carboniferous moisture and FECUNDITY.” – Simon Winchester, British author and journalist

  felicitous (fih-LISS-ih-tuss), adjective

  Appropriate and well suited for a particular occasion.

  “O to be a dragon / a symbol of the power of Heaven—of silkworm / size or immense; at times invisible. FELICITOUS phenomenon!” – Marianne Moore, Modernist American poet and writer

  felicity (fih-LISS-ih-tee), noun

  A state of blissful happiness.

  “Never lose sight of the fact that all human FELICITY lies in man’s imagination, and that he cannot think to attain it unless he heeds all his caprices.” - Marquis de Sade, French aristocrat and revolutionary

  fervent (FUR-vuhnt), adjective

  Showing great enthusiasm and intensity of spirit.

  Packing up the family’s castoffs for myriad charities each December places Contessa in a FERVENT state.

  fiat (FEE-aht), noun

  An authoritative decree or order.

  Everyone interested in receiving a sizeable portion of his inheritance simply allows grandfather to rule the household by FIAT.

  filibuster (FILL-in-bus-ter), noun

  Making a prolonged speech or using other tactics to delay legislative actions or other important decisions.

  The room breathed a collective sigh when the senator finally ended his eight-hour FILIBUSTER.

  fillip (FILL-uhp), noun

  Something that revives or arouses excitement.

  “Faithful horoscope-watching, practiced daily, provides just the sort of small, but warm and infinitely reassuring FILLIP that gets matters off to a spirited start.” – Shana Alexander, American author

  flagitious (fluh-JISH-uss), adjective

  Shamefully wicked or particularly heinous.

  Now that the paparazzi hangs on her every move, Natasha goes out of her way to engage in FLAGITIOUS behavior.

  flagrante delicto (fluh-grahn-tay di-LIK-toh), noun

  In the act of committing an offense; most widely used today to describe a couple caught in the act of sexual intercourse.

  “No cheating spouse, no teen with a wrecked family car, no mayor of Washington, DC, videotaped in FLAGRANTE DELICTO has ever come up with anything as farfetched as U.S. farm policy.” – P. J. O’Rourke, American satirist

  florid (FLOOR-id), adjective

  Excessively ornate and showy, as prose.

  “All men are really most attracted by the beauty of plain speech, and they even write in a FLORID style in imitation of this.” – Henry David Thoreau, American author and transcendentalist

  foible (FOY-bull), noun

  A small flaw
, weakness, or defect.

  For all his flaws and FOIBLES, Richard Nixon was perhaps the most effective president on foreign policy in the twentieth century.

  foment (foe-MEHNT), verb

  To rouse or incite.

  “If perticuliar care and attention is not paid to the Laidies we are determined to FOMENT a Rebelion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.” – Abigail Adams, second First Lady of the United States

  forbear (for-BEAR), verb

  To not do something; to do without.

  The landlord decided to FORBEAR raising the rent until the repairs to the building had been completed.

  forestall (for-STAWL), verb

  To thwart an action in advance; or, to buy up goods in order to increase their resale price.

  Arthur’s family thrives during financially insecure times because it always seems to FORESTALL exactly the right commodities.

  fortuitous (for-TOO-ih-tuss), adjective

  A happy event taking place by accident or chance.

  “The most FORTUITOUS event of my entire life was meeting my wife Eleanor.” – Franklin Delano Roosevelt

  founder (FOUN-der), verb

  To fail utterly or to become a complete wreck.

  “Who would not rather FOUNDER in the fight / Than not have known the glory of the fray?” – Richard Hovey, American poet

  fractious (FRACK-shuss), adjective

  Easily angered or irritable; quarrelsome; unruly.

  “Sex is metaphysical for men, as it is not for women. Women have no problem to solve through sex. Physically and psychologically, they are serenely self-contained. They may choose to achieve, but they do not need it. They are not thrust into the beyond by their own FRACTIOUS bodies.” – Camille Paglia, American author, feminist, and social critic

  frangible (FRAN-juh-bull), adjective

  Easily breakable.

  The Worthington’s staff knows to be excessively careful around the families collection of FRANGIBLE Ming vases.

  frenetic (fruh-NET-ick), adjective

  Frantic and frenzied.

  “I love my work with a FRENETIC and perverse love, as an ascetic loves the hair shirt which scratches his belly.” – Gustave Flaubert, French writer