expeditious, staid, inept, redolent, staunch: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from GRE Vocabulary set 114. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. expeditious · adjective/ˌɛkspɪˈdɪʃəs/

   done with speed and efficiency

   The team completed the project with expeditious efficiency, ensuring all deadlines were met ahead of schedule.

   Synonyms: swift, prompt, speedy

   Origin: from Latin 'expeditus', meaning 'unimpeded, free or ready for action', from 'ex' (out) + 'peditus' (tethered, hindered)

2. staid · adjective/steɪd/

   serious, respectable, and unadventurous

   Despite the lively decor of the party, her staid demeanor set her apart from the others, making her seem out of place.

   Synonyms: serious, respectable, solemn

   Origin: Middle English 'stayed', past participle of 'stay', meaning 'to be steady or stable'

3. inept · adjective/ɪˈnɛpt/

   lacking skill or ability

   His inept handling of the situation only made things worse for everyone involved.

   Synonyms: clumsy, unskilled, awkward

   Origin: from Latin 'ineptus', meaning 'unsuitable or unfit'

4. redolent · adjective/ˈrɛdələnt/

   strongly reminiscent or suggestive of something

   The old mansion was redolent of history, with its faded portraits and dusty books lining the shelves.

   Synonyms: evocative, reminiscent, suggestive

   Origin: Derived from the Latin word 'redolentem', the present participle of 'redolere' meaning 'to emit a scent, to smell (of)' which itself is a combination of 're-' (back, again) and 'olere' (to smell).

5. staunch · adjective/stɔntʃ/

   steadfast in loyalty or support

   She is a staunch supporter of environmental conservation efforts, always advocating for sustainable practices.

   Synonyms: steadfast, loyal, resolute

   Origin: from Old French 'estanchier' meaning to stanch, to stop, which derives from Latin 'stanca' meaning to stand.