SAT Vocabulary Level 3 — Set 121

Set 121 of SAT Vocabulary Level 3 covers 5 words: odious, officious, tenable, workaday, pallid. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. odious · adjective/ˈoʊdiəs/

   extremely unpleasant or repulsive

   The odious behavior of the bully made it difficult for anyone to feel safe at school.

   Synonyms: repugnant, abhorrent, offensive

   Origin: From Latin 'odiosus', meaning 'full of hatred', from 'odium' meaning 'hatred'.

2. officious · adjective/əˈfɪʃəs/

   aggressively offering help or service that is not wanted or requested

   The officious employee seemed to hover around the office, offering unsolicited advice on how to complete even the simplest tasks.

   Synonyms: meddlesome, intrusive, overzealous

   Origin: Originating from the Latin word 'officiosus', meaning 'useful', which is derived from 'officium', meaning 'duty' or 'service'.

3. tenable · adjective/ˈtɛn.ə.bəl/

   capable of being held, maintained, or defended

   The committee found that the proposed theory was tenable after rigorous debate and scrutiny.

   Synonyms: defensible, maintainable, supportable

   Origin: from Middle French 'tenable', from Latin 'tenere', meaning 'to hold'

4. workaday · adjective/ˈwɜrkəˌdeɪ/

   ordinary and unremarkable; everyday

   Despite its workaday nature, the novel contained profound insights about human relationships.

   Synonyms: mundane, routine, commonplace

   Origin: The term 'workaday' originates from Middle English 'werkaday', meaning 'of or pertaining to work or labor', derived from the words 'werk' (work) and 'day'.

5. pallid · adjective/ˈpæl.ɪd/

   lacking color or liveliness

   Her pallid complexion made her look unwell and lacking in vitality.

   Synonyms: pale, wan, ashen

   Origin: from Latin 'pallidus', meaning 'pale' or 'lacking color'