contrite, convivial, craven, cursory, deferential: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from GRE Vocabulary set 42. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. contrite · adjective/kənˈtraɪt/

   feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for a wrongdoing

   After realizing the impact of his actions, he felt truly contrite and apologized to everyone he had hurt.

   Synonyms: remorseful, repentant, penitent

   Origin: Late Latin 'contritus', meaning 'worn down, crushed', from 'con-' (entirely) + 'terere' (to rub)

2. convivial · adjective/kənˈvɪv.jəl/

   friendly and lively; characterized by joviality and sociability

   The atmosphere at the dinner party was wonderfully convivial, with laughter and lively conversations filling the room.

   Synonyms: sociable, cheerful, festive

   Origin: From Latin 'convivialis', from 'convivere' meaning 'to live together'.

3. craven · adjective/ˈkreɪ.vən/

   lacking in courage; cowardly

   His craven refusal to stand up for what he believed in disappointed his friends.

   Synonyms: cowardly, spineless, timorous

   Origin: Middle English 'cravain', from Old French 'crevain', meaning 'defeated' or 'vanquished'

4. cursory · adjective/ˈkɜr.sɚ.i/

   hasty and therefore not thorough or detailed

   After a cursory review of the report, the manager decided there wasn't enough information to make a decision.

   Synonyms: superficial, hurried, brief

   Origin: from Latin 'cursorious', from 'cursor' meaning 'runner', which is derived from 'currere' meaning 'to run'.

5. deferential · adjective/ˌdɛf.əˈrɛn.ʃəl/

   showing respect or submission to the opinions or wishes of others

   His deferential attitude towards his supervisor made him a favorite among the team.

   Synonyms: respectful, submissive, yielding

   Origin: from Latin 'deferentialis', from 'deferre' meaning 'to bring down, carry away, yield, submit'