Word List - 3 | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) - CAT PDF Download

The CAT is one of the most competitive exams in India, requiring extensive preparation and practice. To perform well, it is important to be familiar with key concepts and a strong vocabulary, as many questions test language skills. Below is a revised list of important words and phrases to support your CAT preparation, organised by level, with updated definitions, parts of speech, and examples.

So, let’s get started!

Level 1

Affluent

Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition: Having a lot of money or great wealth.
Example: The affluent family owned a mansion in the most expensive part of town.

Arbitrary

Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition: Based on random choice or personal whim rather than reason or system.
Example: She made an arbitrary decision to go to the beach without consulting anyone.

Discern

Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: To recognise or understand something, especially with difficulty.
Example: She struggled to discern the meaning of the ancient text.

Dubious

Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition: Uncertain or questionable.
Example: The quality of the food seemed dubious, so I decided not to eat it.

Feasible

Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition: Possible or achievable.
Example: We need to come up with a feasible solution to this problem.

Fiasco

Part of Speech: Noun
Definition: A complete and embarrassing failure.
Example: The event turned into a fiasco when the main speaker didn’t arrive.

Harass

Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: To subject someone to constant pressure, annoyance, or aggression.
Example: The bully kept harassing the new student, making him feel uncomfortable.

Jurisdiction

Part of Speech: Noun
Definition: The authority of a court or legal body to make decisions.
Example: The court had jurisdiction over the case because it occurred within its area of authority.

Oust

Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: To remove or force someone out of a position.
Example: The new mayor promised to oust corrupt officials from office.

Revert

Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: To return to a previous state or condition.
Example: After trying a new hairstyle, she decided to revert to her original look.

Terminate

Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: To bring something to an end.
Example: After five years, the contract between the two companies was terminated.

Level 2

Cognizant

Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition: Aware or conscious of something.
Example: She was cognizant of the fact that she had made a mistake.

Confidante

Part of Speech: Noun
Definition: A person you trust and share secrets with.
Example: His sister was his confidante, and he told her everything.

Deride

Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: To mock or ridicule someone.
Example: The bullies derided the new student for his clothes.

Disparage

Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: To speak negatively about someone; to belittle.
Example: The manager disparaged his employee in front of others.

Effigy

Part of Speech: Noun
Definition: A sculpture or model of a person, often made to be mocked or destroyed.
Example: Protestors burned an effigy of the president.

Flout

Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: To openly disregard or disobey a rule.
Example: The students flouted the school’s dress code by wearing casual clothes.

Forthwith

Part of Speech: Adverb
Definition: Immediately or without delay.
Example: The soldiers were ordered to return forthwith.

Laudable

Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition: Worthy of praise.
Example: Her efforts to raise funds for the charity were laudable.

Perverse

Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition: Showing a deliberate desire to behave unreasonably or contrary to expectations.
Example: Despite the warnings, he had a perverse urge to keep smoking.

Quell

Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: To put an end to or suppress.
Example: The police managed to quell the violent protest.

Skirmish

Part of Speech: Noun
Definition: A minor fight or brief clash.
Example: The soldiers engaged in a short skirmish near the border.

Turbulent

Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition: Characterized by disorder, unrest, or confusion.
Example: The turbulent waters of the river were too dangerous to cross.

Level 3

Chagrin

Part of Speech: Noun
Definition: A feeling of disappointment or embarrassment.
Example: He felt deep chagrin after failing the exam.

Consternation

Part of Speech: Noun
Definition: A strong feeling of shock, worry, or dismay.
Example: The teacher’s consternation was clear when she saw the mess in the classroom.

Eschew

Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: To deliberately avoid or abstain from something.
Example: She decided to eschew sugary drinks for better health.

Exacerbate

Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: To make a problem or situation worse.
Example: The heavy traffic only exacerbated the driver’s frustration.

Fray

Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: To become worn or tattered.
Example: The fabric of the dress began to fray around the edges.

Implacable

Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition: Unable to be appeased or pacified; relentless.
Example: The implacable enemy refused to negotiate.

Indigent

Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition: Extremely poor; lacking basic necessities.
Example: The indigent family lived in a shelter.

Masticate

Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: To chew food.
Example: Cows slowly masticate hay before swallowing it.

Monolithic

Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition: Large, powerful, and uniform; massive in structure.
Example: The monolithic skyscraper towered over the city.

Obsolescence

Part of Speech: Noun
Definition: The process of becoming outdated or no longer useful.
Example: Smartphones have caused the obsolescence of many older gadgets.

Paroxysm

Part of Speech: Noun
Definition: A sudden, violent outburst of emotion or activity.
Example: She went into a paroxysm of laughter after hearing the joke.

Perfunctory

Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition: Done without care or enthusiasm; routine.
Example: He gave a perfunctory nod and walked away.

Precocious

Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition: Showing advanced abilities at an unusually young age.
Example: The precocious child could solve math problems meant for much older students.

Reprehensible

Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition: Deserving strong criticism or blame.
Example: His unethical actions were reprehensible.

Sally

Part of Speech: Noun
Definition: A sudden charge, attack, or witty remark.
Example: The soldiers made a sally against the enemy.
Example (figurative): He made a clever sally during the debate.

Stymie

Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: To block or hinder progress.
Example: Bad weather stymied the construction work.

Voluble

Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition: Speaking fluently and at length; talkative.
Example: The professor was voluble, explaining complex ideas with ease.