GRE Words List: Complete GRE Vocabulary

GRE Word List: Is it Important?

A GRE word list, also known as the GRE vocabulary is one of the more crucial steps to acing the GRE verbal sections. As the name suggests, it is a list of important words often used in the GRE tests, evaluating various aspects of their communication and language skills in different environments.

In short, the major reason why a GRE word list is important is for the simple reason of acing the tests. The grasp of your vocabulary along with your ability to use them correctly in properly structured sentences will confirm top scores in the verbal sections of the GRE exam. Being a standardised test used for admissions to highly selective graduate schools, some of the words used can be difficult for a candidate to understand.

On this page, we will discuss everything you need to know about GRE word lists and how you can best optimise your preparation for the GRE exam.

When and How Vocabulary is Tested on the GRE?

Surprisingly, the GRE words list is only examined in the GRE Verbal Reasoning section. The Verbal section has three types of questions, all of which are multiple-choice:

• Reading Comprehension, which entails reading a piece and responding to a series of questions about it.

• Sentence Equivalence, in which you read a statement with a blank and choose between two response options that give the sentence the same meaning.

• Text Completions, in which you read a statement with one, two, or even three blanks and submit the best option or options for the context.

The vocabulary-testing Reading Comprehension questions (Meaning-in-Context questions) are more concerned with how you utilise context clues to find ‘less-common interpretations of regularly used vocabulary terms’ than with how vast your vocabulary is.

Sentence Equivalence and Text Completion are the sections of the GRE exam where your knowledge of the GRE words list (vocabulary) will be most useful. Given that these question categories account for over half of the GRE Verbal exam, having a strong GRE vocabulary cannot be stressed.

Ways to Build Your GRE Vocabulary

One of the best ways to improve your overall GRE score is to improve your vocabulary for the test. Study abroad experts have all outlined different ways to improve your GRE vocabulary. However, here we will list down the tried and tested strategies that can potentially improve your chances of getting into one of the top universities in the world.

“Practice makes Perfect”: This age-old statement sparks true even in the case of enhancing your GRE Vocabulary. However, practice here refers to reading more and more texts and snippets to help ensure that you come across as many new words as possible.

Use the Dictionary: One of the common steps you will witness is your constant need to look up the meanings of different words. With the help of the internet, there are many reliable dictionaries that you can visit to find out the definitions of different words in different contexts as well. Or you can buy one of the many dictionaries available on the market and search for the required words by yourself.

Strategise Your Learning: When learning new words and learning their corresponding definitions, it is important to understand the words and their meanings as well. Now learning new words and definitions will be a daunting task for anyone, however, you can reach out to study-abroad professionals who have helped many study-abroad aspirants to ace the tests.

Create Your Own GRE Word List: Whenever you come across a word that you are not familiar with, you can list them down along with the right definitions and use this list as a key material for revision. One of the ways you can learn new words is by attempting GRE practice tests and listing down the words that you found difficult to understand.

Use Word Roots: In other words, list down all the words with the same, similar or related definitions and club them together. Once you are able to remember the root words, you will find it easier to remember the words included in the root words. Thus, when decoding words during the test, you will end up saving a lot of time while retaining a lot of information at the same time.

Use New Words: When communicating or carrying out your daily tasks, try and use the new words you may have picked up, each day. This will further help you to properly understand the word and subsequently, enhance your vocabulary not only for the day of the test but for the rest of your life.

Speak New Words out Loud: In addition to the above-mentioned point, one of the more recommended methods of remembering new words is to speak the new words out loud. This is another method that has proven to help many students remember the words better.

GRE Word List: Nouns

Check out the table below to find the important GRE word lists for nouns that may be used in the verbal sections of GRE exams this year.

GRE Word List: Verbs

Here is a table of the popular verbs that can be used during the GRE verbal sections this year.

GRE Word List: Adjectives

Looking for the popular adjectives commonly used during the GRE exam’s verbal sections? Check out the table below:

How to Learn GRE Words List?

The key to remembering new vocabulary—or anything else—is to be active rather than passive. Do not just go through a GRE word list of unfamiliar words.

Why? Our minds learn by being challenged. You are not genuinely taxing your intellect when you merely read each word and then the definition. So here are a few pointers to help you remember the new GRE words list more effectively:

• Concentrate on High-Frequency Words: While you practise for the GRE, keep track of which terms appear more frequently and which appear less frequently; prioritise thoroughly remembering high-frequency words before conquering low-frequency phrases.

• Make GRE Vocabulary Memorization a Game: Make use of flashcards and quizzes (more on this below) and devise mnemonics to help you recall more difficult terms.

• Look for Words in Your Daily Life: Look for them while you read (and make sure you read a lot!). Using your newly taught terms, mentally describe situations or thoughts you encounter. Or discover methods to incorporate them into your everyday writing or conversations—if you have worked out how to do so without seeming arrogant.

Books to Improve Vocabulary for GRE

Most GRE test takers ignore the vocabulary section of the exam as something to consider later. After all, mastering mathematical thinking appears to be the most difficult task.

It's been suggested that vocabulary may make or break your GRE score. As a result, we have produced a selection of the best GRE Prep books to assist you in developing your own GRE words list for the exam.

The Vocabulary Builder Workbook (Editor's Choice)

The Vocabulary Builder Workbook, written by a Magoosh Review Expert, is the first on our list. The book has a large collection of words, far more than the other vocabulary reference resources indicated below. Besides a plethora of new vocabulary, the Vocabulary Builder Workbook also provides helpful hints on how to interpret unfamiliar vocabulary. Prepared by a renowned specialist for Magoosh, we believe you will find precise descriptions of vocabulary terms that may appear on the GRE.

GRE Power Vocab

The GRE Power Vocabulary takes pride in its engaging material, which our research has proved to be a huge benefit for students. After all, preparing for a large test like the GRE can seem daunting and monotonous, and having a pleasant book to help you learn is a benefit. The book includes a diagnostic exam, a constantly updated vocabulary list, and an ordered framework.

Essential Words for the GRE

This GRE vocabulary book contains extensive GRE practice exams and a lower price than the last two listed. Users have praised the book's broad content and the applicability of the examples. The tasks are extremely intriguing, and answering the entire book takes significantly longer than the other two. If you do not have the luxury of studying only the GRE vocabulary portion, this may not be the best option for you.

GRE Master Word List

The fifth instalment in Test Prep's GRE vocabulary series is GRE Master Wordlist: 1535 Words For Verbal Mastery. According to Test Prep, this vocabulary book was created by professionals with over ten years of experience in the subject, providing you with rigorous study and relevant content. It is always being updated with new terms and definitions. The book offers not only the top 1535 words most likely to occur on the GRE, but also antonyms, synonyms, context, and pronunciation. When it comes to verbal skills, this is a massive boon.

QuickStudy | GRE Vocabulary Laminated Study Guide

QuickStudy GRE Vocabulary Laminated Study Guide is the least expensive option on this list. The vocabulary study guide features over 800 GRE vocabulary terms on 6 laminated sheets. The vocabulary is alphabetically sorted by word root and comprises all of the top GRE vocabulary terms. Another noteworthy feature is the lightweight nature of this lexical guide

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