AS/A Exam Vocabulary

Words you might encounter on a Cambridge AS/A examination

inexorable (adjective)
• Definition: impossible to stop; unable to be
persuaded
• Use in a sentence: “Wharves are crumbling,
as the power of the sea exerts its inexorable force.”
• Synonyms: merciless, implacable, inevitable
• Origin of the word: from the Latin inexorabilis
or in- (not)+ exorabilis (entreat)
etymology (noun)
• Definition: the study of the historical development of languages
• Use in a sentence: “He says that correct language depends on usage,
not on etymology.”
• Synonyms: derivation, origin, root
• Origin of the word: from the ancient Greek meaning “true sense” +
logia (logic)
integral (adjective)
• Definition: Along with other parts or factors,
constituting a whole
• Use in a sentence: “The candlelight procession was an integral part of
the celebration.”
• Synonyms: essential, basic, fundamental
• Origin of the word: from the Latin integer (whole)
indiscriminate (adjective)
• Definition: without care, thoughtless
• Use in a sentence: “There was indiscriminate firing by suspected
militants.”
• Synonyms: random, uncritical, unthinking
• Origin of the word: from the Latin in- (not) +
discriminatus (distinction or dis- (apart) + cernere (to separate)
vigilant (adjective)
• Definition: watchful, on guard
• Use in a sentence: “The troops at the border were vigilant.”
• Synonyms: attentive, observant
• Origin of the word: from the Latin vigilant (keeping awake), from the
verb vigilare
demography (noun)

• Definition: the study or measure of human populations

• Use in a sentence: “The speaker linked his discussion of demography
to questions of gender, education, and human rights.”
• Synonym: population analysis
• Origin of the word: from the Greek demos (people) + graphy
(describing)
abysmal (adjective)

• Definition: resembling an abyss (deep pit); extremely bad or terrible

• Use in a sentence: “His friends behaved abysmally by teasing him
about his abysmal marks.”
• Synonyms: cavernous, infinite, dreadful
• Origin of the word: from the Greek abussos (bottomless), or
a- without + bussos (depth).
intimidatory (adjective)
• Definition: meant to intimidate or make one timid
• Use in a sentence: “His intimidatory rhetoric put us all on notice.”
• Synonyms: threatening, menacing
• Origin of the word: from the Latin intimidates (to frighten, make
afraid) or in- (in) + timidus (fearful)
commemorate (verb)

• Definition: to honour the memory of someone or something with a

ceremony or memorabilia
• Use in a sentence: “Veterans gathered to commemorate World War
II.”
• Synonyms: celebrate, honour, memorialise
• Origin of the word: from the Latin commemorate (brought to
remembrance), or com- (altogether) + memorare (relate or mindful)
tumultuous (adjective)
• Definition: noisy and disorderly, causing tumult or confused, agitated
noise
• Use in a sentence: “The tumultuous roar of the crowd greeted the
cricket team.”
• Synonyms: chaotic, agitated, passionate
• Origin of the word: from the Latin tumultus (uproar, violent
commotion)
exponent (noun)

• Definition: One who expounds or advocates

• Use in a sentence: “She was a leading exponent of vegetarianism.”
• Synonyms: proponent, supporter, champion, expert
• Origin of the word: from the Latin exponent (putting out)
febrile (adjective)
• Definition: feverish; extremely excited
• Use in a sentence: “The atmosphere in the game was febrile.”
• Synonyms: agitated, overwrought
• Origin of the word: from the Latin febris (fever)
rehabilitation (noun)
• Definition: the process of restoring something to its original condition
• Use in a sentence: “The tennis player had to undergo a long
rehabilitation after tearing his tendon.”
• Synonyms: recovery, recuperation, restoration
• Origin of the word: from the Latin prefix re- (again) + habitare (make
fit)
enhance (verb)
• Definition: to lift, raise up, augment or improve
• Use in a sentence: “The use of shrubbery enhanced the villa
grounds.”
• Synonyms: increase, amplify, magnify
• Origin of the word: from the Latin altus (high)
bifurcation (noun)
• Definition: the action of separating something into parts
• Use in a sentence: “The bifurcation of the twelfth standard eased the
classroom overcrowding.”
• Synonyms: division, split, schism
• Origin of the word: