SAT Vocabulary Level 3 — Set 124

Set 124 of SAT Vocabulary Level 3 covers 5 words: unruly, forthright, apprehensive, grandiloquent, droll. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. unruly · adjective/ʌnˈruli/

   not submissive to discipline or control

   The teacher struggled to maintain order in the classroom due to the unruly behavior of some students.

   Synonyms: disorderly, untamed, rebellious

   Origin: Middle English, from 'un-' meaning 'not' + 'ruly' from 'rule' (from Old French 'reule', from Latin 'regula')

2. forthright · adjective/ˈfɔrθraɪt/

   direct and outspoken in manner or speech

   Her forthright manner made it easy for everyone in the meeting to understand her position on the issues at hand.

   Synonyms: frank, candid, honest

   Origin: Middle English 'forthright', from Old English 'forðan' (forward) + 'riht' (right).

3. apprehensive · adjective/ˌæp.rɪˈhɛn.sɪv/

   anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen

   Despite her excitement about the upcoming trip, she felt apprehensive about flying for the first time.

   Synonyms: anxious, eager, uneasy

   Origin: from Latin 'apprehensivus', meaning 'capable of seizing or apprehending', from 'apprehendere' meaning 'to seize, grasp, or take hold of'.

4. grandiloquent · adjective/ɡrænˈdɪləkwənt/

   using lofty or pompous language

   The politician's grandiloquent speeches often left the audience in awe, though few could decipher the actual message behind the lofty rhetoric.

   Synonyms: pompous, verbose, pretentious

   Origin: The word 'grandiloquent' comes from the Latin 'grandiloquens', which means 'speaking grandly', from 'grandis' meaning 'great' and 'loqui' meaning 'to speak'.

5. droll · adjective/droʊl/

   curiously unusual or amusing

   The comedian's droll humor kept the audience laughing throughout the entire show.

   Synonyms: quirky, whimsical, funny

   Origin: From the French word 'drôle', meaning 'odd', 'funny'.