The Words You Should Know to Sound Smart Read online

  frippery (FRIHP-uh-ree), noun

  Ostentatious or affected elegance.

  The FRIPPERY of Lara’s couture belied her nouveau riche origins.

  frisson (FREE-son), noun

  A sudden strong feeling of excitement, conflict, or danger.

  “Pregnant women! They had that weird FRISSON, an aura of magic that combined awkwardly with an earthy sense of duty.” – Ruth Morgan, American novelist

  fruition (froo-ISH-un), noun

  The completion of a task; the achievement of a goal as the result of significant and persistent effort.

  John Nash, a mathematician whose life was featured in “A Beautiful Mind,” received the Nobel Prize for the FRUITION of his work in game theory decades after he completed it.

  fulsome (FULL-sum), adjective

  Describes words or actions that praise or flatter someone to an excessive degree.

  Katie’s introduction of the keynote speaker was so FULSOME that he led his speech with a few self-effacing remarks.

  fungible (FUHN-jih-bull), adjective

  Freely exchangeable for another of like nature; interchangeable.

  Stella was incensed to find that not all Cartier watches are FUNGIBLE.

  furtive (FUR-tiv), adjective

  Acting guilty of some misstep or possessing knowledge one would just as soon keep secret.

  “For a while the two stared at each other – Denison embarrassed, Selene almost FURTIVE.” – Isaac Asimov, Russian-born American author and biochemist

  “Jealousy is a GRIEVOUS

  passion that jealously seeks what

  causes grief.”

  Franz Grillparzer, Austrian poet

  G

  gable (GAY-bull), noun

  The triangular upper part of a wall at the end of a rigid roof.

  The Sandersons could not resist purchasing a second Cape Cod home because they fell in love with the home’s colorful GABLES.

  gainsay (GANE-say), verb

  To deny, dispute, or contradict.

  Michael has made no attempt to GAINSAY the persistent rumors that his family’s fortune rests solely on insider trading.

  galivant (GAL-ih-vant), verb

  To wander widely; to constantly travel to many different places, without an itinerary or plan; to freely go wherever and whenever the mood strikes you, and doing so frequently.

  Some accuse us of GALIVANTING around the world, but cultural knowledge is de rigueur for cocktail conversation.

  galleon (GAL-ee-un), noun

  A Mediterranean sailing vessel used by explorers for ocean voyages.

  The GALLEONS of the Spanish fleet sailed annually from Seville to Panama and Cartagena.

  galvanize (GAL-vuh-nyze), verb

  To propel someone or something into sudden activity.

  The unveiling of new yachts quickly GALVANIZED the regatta.

  gambit (GAM-bit), noun

  A remark used to redirect a conversation; or a maneuver used to seek advantage.

  “The catchphrase positively rejoices in being a formula, an accepted GAMBIT, a ready-made reaction.” – John Gross, British literary critic

  gambol (GAM-bowl), verb

  To run, skip, or jump about in a playful or joyous fashion.

  “We all have these places where shy humiliations GAMBOL on sunny afternoons.” – W. H. Auden, Anglo-American poet

  gamesome (GAYM-suhm), adjective

  Playful and frolicsome.

  “[Nature] is GAMESOME and good, / But of mutable mood,— / No dreary repeater now and again, / She will be all things to all men.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson, American poet, essayist, and transcendentalist

  gamine (gah-MEEN), noun

  A girl with a boyish demeanor and mischievous nature who is somehow still appealing.

  Her GAMINE behavior and looks only made her that much more attractive to teenage boys her age.

  gamut (GAM-utt), noun

  The full spectrum of possibilities or choices.

  The choice of places to eat near the mall ran the GAMUT from chain restaurants to five-star dining.

  garnish (GAR-nihsh), verb

  A legal procedure for taking a portion of a person’s wages, property, and assets to pay his debts.

  If you do not pay your taxes within thirty days, the county reserves the right to GARNISH a portion of your wages until the back taxes are paid in full.

  garrulity (gah-ROO-lih-tee), noun

  The habit of talking way too much.

  “The interview is an intimate conversation between journalist and politician wherein the journalist seeks to take advantage of the GARRULITY of the politician and the politician of the credulity of the journalist” – Emory Klein, American journalist

  gauche (GOHSH), adjective

  Sorely lacking in the social graces and good manners; crude behavior.

  Rhett was under the impression that one needed only money to join the country club. However, his GAUCHE demeanor caused him to be denied membership.

  gazetteer(gaz-ih-TEERr), noun

  A geographical index or dictionary of places organized by name.

  The Rothschilds prefer their pilot simply head for the sun, rather than consult a GAZETTEER prior to short flights.

  gelid (JELL-uhd), adjective

  extremely cold; icy.

  The Vangelder’s yacht sluiced easily through the GELID waters of the Cape.

  genome (GEE-nome), noun

  The collection of chromosomes that makes an individual organism unique from all others except its clone or identical twin.

  Blake has become convinced that the GENOMES of those among his most important social contacts have more commonalities than differences.

  genteel (jehn-TEEL), adjective

  Well-bred and possessing a refined temperament.

  “[I am] a journalist in the field of etiquette. I try to find out what the most GENTEEL people regularly do, what traditions they have

  discarded, what compromises they have made.” – Amy Vanderbilt, American etiquette expert

  geopolitical (gee-oh-poh-LIH-tih-kull), adjective

  Anything having to do with the politics affecting the relationships of two or more countries, especially when influenced by geographical factors.

  GEOPOLITICAL instability in the Middle East is fueling rising crude oil prices.

  geostationary (GEE-oh-STAY-shin-air-ee), adjective

  A satellite in orbit 22,300 miles above the Earth’s surface so that the satellite is always directly over the same spot of ground.

  Arthur C. Clark was the first to propose that three GEOSTATIONARY satellites orbiting Earth could provide a global communications network effectively covering every location on the planet.

  germane (jehr-MANE), adjective

  Relevant, pertinent, and fitting.

  “Quotes from Mao, Castro, and Che Guevara … are as GERMANE to our highly technological, computerized society as a stagecoach on a jet runway at Kennedy airport.” – Saul Alinksy, American activist

  germinal (JUHRM-nuhl), adjective

  Related to the earliest stage of development.

  Roland’s foray into art-buying is in its GERMINAL phase.

  gestalt (geh-STALT), noun

  A unified whole.

  “Feminism is an entire world view or GESTALT, not just a laundry list of women’s issues.” – Charlotte Bunch, American feminist

  gesticulate (jes-TIH-cue-late), verb

  To use gestures when talking, especially when speaker is eager or excited to get his ideas across.

  “Okay, the man in the yellow shirt,” the seminar leader said, pointing to an audience member who was GESTICULATING wildly.

  gimcrack (JIHM-krack), noun

  A showy object of little or no value.

  “Haul them off! Hide them! / The heart winces / For junk and GIMCRACK, / for jerrybuilt things.” – Richard Wilbur, American poet

  glean (GLEEN), verb

  To discover or learn slowly and deliberat
ely.

  Bentley GLEANED from the drop in Ferrari sales that a looming recession even had some of his social contacts feeling nervous.

  globalization (glow-bull-ih-ZAY-shin), noun

  The movement toward a true world economy with open and free trading across national borders.

  “Proponents of GLOBALIZATION insist that, as trade and investment move across borders, economic efficiencies raise the standards of living on both sides of the exchange.” – Arthur Goldwag, American author

  globule (GLAHB-yewl), noun

  A small globe or ball.

  “In yourself is the law of all nature, and you know not yet how a GLOBULE of sap ascends.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson, American poet, essayist, and transcendentalist

  Gnosticism (NAH-stih-sih-zim), noun

  The religious belief that salvation is attained through secret knowledge rather than through prayer, ritual, faith, divine grace, or good works.

  Many of the key principles of Christianity were formed as a direct response to GNOSTICISM.

  gorgonize (GORE-guh-nize), verb

  To paralyze or mesmerize with one’s looks or personality.

  Even without her family’s wealth and connections, Marla would likely GORGONIZE all the men who enter her orbit.

  gormandize (GORE-mun-dize), verb

  To eat like a glutton, as if one was starving.

  We find GORMANDIZING on even the finest French cuisine to be quite tasteless and, therefore, to be avoided.

  gossamer (GAHSS-uh-muhr), adjective

  Something delicate, light, and flimsy that will flutter in the slightest breeze.

  Fairies flitted among the flowers on GOSSAMER wings.

  grandiloquent (grand-EL-oh-kwent), adjective

  Having a pompous, overly inflated, hyperbolic, or pretentious way of presenting oneself in speech and mannerism.

  The architect waxed GRANDILOQUENT about the visionary design of his new skyscraper.

  granular (GRAN-you-ler), adjective

  The ability to divide, organize, and search through something at a fine level of detail.

  Julian’s GRANULAR abilities allow him to extract the absolute best from among even the largest pile of uncut diamonds.

  gratuitous (grah-TOO-ih-tuss), adjective

  Unnecessary; inappropriately excessive; uncalled for.

  “Being accused of making money by selling sex in Hollywood, home of the casting couch and the GRATUITOUS nude scene, is so rich with irony that it’s a better subject for a comic novel than a column.” – Anna Quindlen, American author and opinion columnist

  gravitas (gra-vih-TAS), adjective

  Behavior or manner that is dignified and serious, perhaps even a bit stiff, formal, and pompous.

  The GRAVITAS with which Lionel viewed the Harvard-Yale football game was quite amusing to many of us.

  gregarious (greh-GARE-ee-us), adjective

  An extrovert; an outgoing person; one who is friendly and cheerful in nature.

  “We are easy to manage, a GREGARIOUS people, / Full of sentiment, clever at mechanics, and we love our luxuries.” – Robinson Jeffers, American poet

  grievous (GREE-vuhss), adjective

  Flagrant and outrageous; or, causing grief and great sorrow.

  “Jealousy is a GRIEVOUS passion that jealously seeks what causes grief.” – Franz Grillparzer, Austrian poet

  grouse (GRAUSS), verb

  To complain or grumble about one’s situation.

  We decided not to return to the restaurant after the maître d’ continuously GROUSED about the slovenliness of his wait staff.

  guaranty (gar-an-TEE), noun

  The taking of responsibility by one person for another person’s debts or other financial obligations. Also, the act of giving security.

  “The Constitution is the sole source and GUARANTY of national freedom.” – Calvin Coolidge

  guerrilla (guh-RILL-uh), noun

  One who engages in warfare through small acts of harassment and sabotage.

  With her keen eye for detail and authenticity, Lorissa has begun to wage a GUERRILLA war against stores that proffer knockoffs as legitimate couture.

  guile (GILE), noun

  Deceitful cunning; trickery.

  “Gaze no more in the bitter glass / The demons, with their subtle GUILE, / Lift up before us when they pass, / Or only gaze a little while.” – William Butler Yeats, Irish poet and dramatist

  gustatory (GUSS-tuh-tore-ee), adjective

  Of the sense of taste.

  “Food has it over sex for variety. Hedonistically, GUSTATORY possibilities are much broader than copulatory ones.” – Joseph Epstein, American author and critic

  gryphon (GRIFF-uhn), noun

  A mythical beast with the legs and body of a lion and the claws, head, and wings of an eagle.

  “The GRYPHON’S claws were greatly prized, as they were reputed to change color in the presence of poison.” – Richard Barber, British historian

  guile (GUY-ul), noun

  The act of being deliberately deceitful and treacherous, so as to gain advantage at someone else’s expense.

  I was amazed at the GUILE Richard displayed in going after my biggest account.

  gyrating (jye-RAY-ting), adjective

  Of a circular or spiral pattern.

  When he first appeared on the Ed Sullivan show, Elvis Presley’s GYRATING hips during his act caused quite a stir.

  “The HAUGHTY sommelier, with

  his talismanic tasting cup and

  sometimes irritating self-assurance,

  is perceived more as the high priest

  of some arcane rite than as a dining

  room functionary paid to help you

  enjoy the evening.”

  Frank J. Prial, former New York Times

  wine columnist

  H

  habeas corpus (HAY-bee-us-CORE-puss), noun

  A written order requiring a prisoner or person under arrest or confinement to be brought before a judge to assess whether the restraint of said person is lawful and proper.

  Following the nightclub brawl, Chad and Wendell managed to receive a writ of HABEAS CORPUS only after their father called the authorities and reminded them of his social contacts.

  habile (HAB-ill), adjective

  Skillful and able; handy.

  Our HABILE gardener has helped render our topiary into the shapes of dollar and pound signs.

  habitude (HAB-uh-tyood), noun

  Customary behavior or customary procedure.

  Alistair’s HABITUDE is for the servants to awake him just prior to noon.

  hagiography (hag-ee-OG-ruh-fee), noun

  A biography that idealizes its subject.

  The Van Gelders were disappointed with the volume written about their illustrious descendants because the book fell far short of being a HAGIOGRAPHY.

  halation (hal-AYE-shun), noun

  A blurred image or ring of light caused by the reflection or dispersal of light.

  The mysterious white ring he claims is a ghost is merely HALATION caused by the photographer’s lighting.

  halcyon (HAL-see-on), adjective

  Calm, peaceful, carefree, prosperous.

  “It was the most HALCYON summer I ever spent.” – Rick Bass, American author and environmental activist

  hapless (HAP-liss), adjective

  Unlucky and unfortunate.

  “Exile is the noble and dignified term, while a refugee is more HAPLESS.” – Mary McCarthy, American author

  harangue (ha-RANG), verb, noun

  Verbally accost; yell at; berate.

  “But on that hot July day she breaks—HARANGUING strangers in the street.” – Oliver Sacks, British neurologist

  harbinger (HAR-bin-jer), noun

  A forerunner or warning sign of a future event or trend.

  The asteroid’s shadow blotted out the sun as it speeded on a collision course with Earth, a HARBINGER of impending doom.

  harpy (HAR-pee)
, noun

  A greedy and predatory person; or, a scolding and shrewish woman.

  “That HARPY Charlotte can’t wait to get her claws into Bruce,” Nancy observed.

  harry (HAR-ee), verb

  To torment with constant attacks.

  “At middle night great cats with silver claws, / Bodies of shadow and blind eyes like pearls, / Came up out of the hole, and red-eared hounds / With long white bodies came out of the air / Suddenly, and ran at them and HARRIED them.” –William Butler Yeats, Irish poet and dramatist

  haughty (HAW-tee), adjective

  Snobbish and arrogant.

  “The HAUGHTY sommelier, with his talismanic tasting cup and sometimes irritating self-assurance, is perceived more as the high priest of some arcane rite than as a dining room functionary paid to help you enjoy the evening.” – Frank J. Prial, former New York Times wine columnist

  haute couture (OAT-koo-TOOR), noun

  Highly fashionable clothing on the cutting edge of the latest design fads and trends.

  “HAUTE COUTURE should be fun, foolish, and almost unwearable.” – Christian Lacroix, French fashion designer

  haut monde (oh-MAHND), noun

  High society.

  “The literary wiseacres prognosticate in many languages, as they have throughout so many centuries, setting the stage for new HAUT MONDE in letters and making up the public’s mind.” – Fannie Hurst, American novelist

  hearsay (HEER-say), noun

  Information gathered from another that is not part of one’s direct knowledge.

  “My talk to thee must be how Benedick / Is sick in love with Beatrice. Of this matter / Is little Cupid’s crafty arrow made, / That only wounds by HEARSAY.” – William Shakespeare

  hedonism (HEE-duh-niz-im), noun

  The nonstop pursuit of personal pleasure as one’s primary goal.

  “[Bad] taste supervenes upon good taste as a daring and witty HEDONISM. It makes the man of good taste cheerful, where before he ran the risk of being chronically frustrated.” – Susan Sontag, American literary theorist, philosopher, and political activist