harsh, corrective, bitter, angry, ethereal: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from SAT Vocabulary Level 1 set 150. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. harsh · adjective/hɑrʃ/

   unpleasantly rough or jarring to the senses

   The harsh sunlight made it impossible to see clearly, forcing us to squint our eyes.

   Synonyms: severe, abrasive, cruel

   Origin: Old English 'hersce', meaning 'rude, rough, severe'

2. corrective · adjective/kəˈrɛktɪv/

   intended to correct or improve something

   The teacher provided corrective feedback to help the students improve their writing skills.

   Synonyms: remedial, emendatory, rectifying

   Origin: from Latin 'correctivus', from 'corrigere' which means to set right

3. bitter · adjective/ˈbɪtər/

   having a sharp, pungent taste or smell; not sweet

   The coffee was too bitter for my taste, making me prefer a sweeter blend.

   Synonyms: sour, acrid, pungent

   Origin: Middle English 'bitter', from Old English 'bitter', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch 'bitter' and German 'bitter'.

4. angry · adjective/ˈæŋɡri/

   feeling or showing strong emotion of displeasure or hostility

   She was very angry about the unfair treatment she received at work.

   Synonyms: irate, furious, enraged

   Origin: Middle English, from Old Norse 'angr' meaning 'grief' or 'sorrow'

5. ethereal · adjective/ɪˈθɪr.i.əl/

   extremely delicate and light in a way that seems not of this world

   The dancer moved with an ethereal grace, as if she were floating on air.

   Synonyms: delicate, fragile, airy

   Origin: from Middle English 'etherial', derived from Old French 'etheriel', from Latin 'aetherius', from Greek 'aitherios', meaning 'of the upper air' or 'heavenly'