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boisterous

adjective/ˈbɔɪstərəs/

noisy, energetic, and cheerful

The boisterous crowd cheered wildly as the team scored the winning goal.

raucousexuberantlively
word origin — The word 'boisterous' originates from the Middle English 'boistous', which meant 'rough and strong'. This, in turn, came from the Old French 'boisteux' meaning 'rude, rough, or stout', and is derived from 'bois', meaning 'wood' or 'timber', suggesting a connection to strength and robustness.

SAT Vocabulary Level 3 — Set 311

Set 311 of SAT Vocabulary Level 3 covers 5 words: boisterous, striated, pretentious, inscrutable, obtrusive. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

  1. boisterous · adjective/ˈbɔɪstərəs/

    noisy, energetic, and cheerful

    The boisterous crowd cheered wildly as the team scored the winning goal.

    Synonyms: raucous, exuberant, lively

    Origin: The word 'boisterous' originates from the Middle English 'boistous', which meant 'rough and strong'. This, in turn, came from the Old French 'boisteux' meaning 'rude, rough, or stout', and is derived from 'bois', meaning 'wood' or 'timber', suggesting a connection to strength and robustness.

  2. striated · adjective/ˈstraɪ.eɪ.tɪd/

    marked by linear grooves or ridges

    The rock formation displayed stunning striated patterns that revealed its geological history.

    Synonyms: striped, lined, ribbed

    Origin: late 19th century, from the Latin 'striatus', past participle of 'striare', meaning 'to furrow or mark with lines'

  3. pretentious · adjective/prɪˈtɛnʃəs/

    attempting to impress by affecting greater importance or talent than is actually possessed

    His pretentious mannerisms during the presentation made it difficult for the audience to take him seriously.

    Synonyms: pompous, ostentatious, showy

    Origin: from Middle French 'prétentieux', from Latin 'praetensius', from 'praetendere' meaning 'to pretend, to stretch forth'

  4. inscrutable · adjective/ɪnˈskruːtəbl/

    impossible to understand or interpret

    His inscrutable expression made it difficult to tell what he was really thinking.

    Synonyms: unfathomable, enigmatic, mysterious

    Origin: From Latin 'inscrutabilis', meaning 'unsearchable', from 'in-' (not) + 'scrutari' (to search)

  5. obtrusive · adjective/əbˈtruːsɪv/

    invasive or noticeably imposing in a way that is unwelcome

    The obtrusive decorations in the restaurant made it difficult to enjoy a quiet meal.

    Synonyms: invasive, noticeable, prominent

    Origin: from Latin 'obtrudere', meaning 'to thrust against or upon'