extemporaneous, myopic, anachronistic, jovial, forlorn: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from GRE Vocabulary set 86. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. extemporaneous · adjective/ɪkˌstɛmpəˈreɪniəs/

   done without preparation or planning

   During the debate, she delivered an extemporaneous speech that captivated the audience and showed her quick thinking.

   Synonyms: improvised, spontaneous, unprepared

   Origin: from Latin 'extemporaneus', meaning 'out of the moment' or 'offhand', derived from 'ex-' (out of) + 'tempus' (time)

2. myopic · adjective/maɪˈɑːpɪk/

   lacking foresight or intellectual insight

   His myopic approach to business decisions often resulted in missed opportunities for growth and innovation.

   Synonyms: short-sighted, narrow-minded, impractical

   Origin: from Greek 'myōps' meaning 'near-sighted' (myo- meaning 'to close' and -ops meaning 'eye')

3. anachronistic · adjective/əˌnæk.rəˈnɪs.tɪk/

   belonging to a period other than that in which it exists

   The film was criticized for its anachronistic portrayal of ancient civilizations, featuring modern technology that didn't exist at the time.

   Synonyms: outdated, obsolete, archaic

   Origin: derived from the Greek word 'anachronismos', which comes from 'ana-' (against) and 'chronos' (time)

4. jovial · adjective/ˈdʒoʊ.vi.əl/

   cheerful and good-humored

   The jovial atmosphere at the family reunion made everyone feel welcome and happy.

   Synonyms: cheerful, jolly, merry

   Origin: from Latin 'jovialis', meaning 'of Jupiter', and Jupiter was often associated with joy and good humor

5. forlorn · adjective/fɔrˈlɔrn/

   sad and lonely due to being abandoned or deserted

   The stray dog sat forlorn on the street corner, waiting for someone to take it home.

   Synonyms: abandoned, desolate, lonely

   Origin: Middle English 'forloren,' from Old English 'forloren,' the past participle of 'forleosan,' meaning 'to lose' or 'to be lost.'