haughty, pliable, dingy, doctrinaire, nuptial: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from SAT Vocabulary Level 3 set 166. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. haughty · adjective/ˈhɔti/

   arrogantly superior and disdainful

   Despite her haughty demeanor, everyone could see she was deeply insecure beneath the surface.

   Synonyms: arrogant, disdainful, snobbish

   Origin: Late Middle English: from 'haughty', which originated from the Old French 'haut' meaning 'high', from Latin 'altus'

2. pliable · adjective/ˈplaɪəbl/

   capable of being bent or shaped easily without breaking

   The artist preferred working with pliable clay to create intricate sculptures.

   Synonyms: flexible, pliant, supple

   Origin: from Middle French 'pliable', from Latin 'plicare' meaning 'to fold'

3. dingy · adjective/ˈdɪn.dʒi/

   dark, dirty, or shabby in appearance

   The old, dingy basement was filled with cobwebs and smelled of mildew, making it an uninviting space to spend time in.

   Synonyms: dim, dull, drab

   Origin: Origin uncertain, possibly from 'dingy' in Middle English meaning 'diminutive, dirty' or related to the word 'ding' meaning 'to tarnish, to soil'.

4. doctrinaire · adjective/ˌdɑːktrɪˈnɛr/

   ornate and impractical in applying a theory or doctrine

   The committee's doctrinaire approach to education reform led to initiatives that looked good on paper but failed in real classrooms.

   Synonyms: dogmatic, impractical, theoretical

   Origin: From French doctrinaire, from doctrinaire, from Latin doctrina ('teaching, doctrine')

5. nuptial · adjective/ˈnʌp.ʃəl/

   relating to marriage or weddings

   The couple chose a beautiful venue to host their nuptial ceremony, surrounded by family and friends.

   Synonyms: marital, wedding, connubial

   Origin: from Latin 'nuptialis', from 'nuptiae' meaning 'wedding, marriage'