Vocabulary Quiz
15 questions, one score, zero sign-ups. This Vocabulary Quiz mixes easy and tricky questions, and every answer comes with a quick explanation.
15 questionsMixed (easy → hard)~3 minNo timer
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This vocabulary quiz tests how well you know the meanings of English words, from everyday terms like "abundant" and "frugal" to tougher ones like "pusillanimous" and "obsequious". The 15 questions start easy and get harder, mixing straight definitions with synonyms, antonyms, odd-one-out and fill-in-the-blank questions, so you have to know a word, not just recognise it.
It suits teenagers, college students and adults who want a quick vocab quiz to sharpen their English. Several words, such as "cogent", "ephemeral" and "ubiquitous", are the kind that turn up in reading-comprehension passages, verbal-reasoning sections and SAT-style vocabulary questions, so it also works as a short warm-up before study.
Every answer comes with a one-line explanation that often shows where the word comes from. Word roots are the fastest way to grow your vocabulary: once you know that Latin "bene" means "well", words like benefit, benefactor and benevolent become easy to remember. Try this online vocabulary quiz once, read the explanations, then play again a day later to check what stuck.
A fun fact to take with you: "laconic" comes from Laconia, the home of ancient Sparta. When Philip II of Macedon warned the Spartans what he would do "if" he invaded, they are said to have replied with a single word: "If".
Vocabulary questions with answers
Show answers
What does "benevolent" mean?
- Kind and generous
- Hostile and aggressive
- Lazy and slow
- Loud and talkative
Answer: Kind and generous. Benevolent comes from Latin "bene" (well) + "volens" (wishing): someone who wishes others well.
Which word is a synonym of "abundant"?
- Scarce
- Plentiful
- Hidden
- Ancient
Answer: Plentiful. Abundant means existing in large quantities, so "plentiful" is the closest match. "Scarce" is its opposite.
Which word is the antonym (opposite) of "ancient"?
- Antique
- Historic
- Modern
- Aged
Answer: Modern. Ancient means very old; modern means belonging to the present time. The other three all suggest age.
Something "ephemeral" is:
- Lasting forever
- Very large
- Bitter to taste
- Lasting a very short time
Answer: Lasting a very short time. Ephemeral comes from Greek "ephemeros", meaning "lasting only a day". Think of a soap bubble or a passing trend.
Which word means an extreme fear of heights?
- Agoraphobia
- Claustrophobia
- Acrophobia
- Arachnophobia
Answer: Acrophobia. Acrophobia is from Greek "akros" (topmost, at the summit) + phobia (fear). Claustrophobia is fear of enclosed spaces; arachnophobia, of spiders.
Odd one out: which word does NOT describe a person who enjoys company?
- Gregarious
- Sociable
- Outgoing
- Reclusive
Answer: Reclusive. A reclusive person avoids other people. Gregarious, sociable and outgoing all describe someone who likes company.
What does "ubiquitous" mean?
- Found everywhere
- Extremely rare
- Difficult to understand
- Uneasy or nervous
Answer: Found everywhere. Ubiquitous comes from Latin "ubique" (everywhere). Smartphones are a modern example of something ubiquitous.
Fill in the blank: "The lawyer's ______ argument convinced the jury."
- lethargic
- cogent
- frugal
- opaque
Answer: cogent. Cogent means clear, logical and convincing, which fits an argument that persuades a jury.
A "frugal" person is:
- Wasteful with money
- Careful and economical with money
- Quick to anger
- Afraid of crowds
Answer: Careful and economical with money. Frugal means sparing with money or food. It is a neutral-to-positive word, unlike "stingy" or "miserly".
Which word means "to make a bad situation worse"?
- Alleviate
- Mitigate
- Exacerbate
- Placate
Answer: Exacerbate. Exacerbate means to worsen. Alleviate and mitigate mean to lessen a problem; placate means to calm someone down.
A "laconic" speaker is one who:
- Talks at great length
- Uses very few words
- Speaks in rhymes
- Repeats everything twice
Answer: Uses very few words. Laconic comes from Laconia, the region of ancient Sparta, whose people were famous for short, blunt replies.
Which word is NOT a synonym of "brave"?
- Valiant
- Intrepid
- Timorous
- Courageous
Answer: Timorous. Timorous means timid and easily frightened, the opposite of brave. Valiant, intrepid and courageous all mean brave.
What does "serendipity" mean?
- A feeling of deep sadness
- Excessive pride
- A calm, still lake
- Finding something good by happy chance
Answer: Finding something good by happy chance. The word was coined by the writer Horace Walpole in 1754, inspired by the tale "The Three Princes of Serendip".
A "pusillanimous" person is:
- Lacking courage
- Extremely tall
- Easily angered
- Very generous
Answer: Lacking courage. Pusillanimous means cowardly or timid. It comes from Latin "pusillus" (very small) + "animus" (spirit).
What does "obsequious" mean?
- Overly eager to please or obey
- Stubborn and unyielding
- Hard to see
- Unusually quiet
Answer: Overly eager to please or obey. An obsequious person flatters and obeys too readily, like a servant fawning over a master.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find vocabulary questions with answers?
Right here. This page has 15 vocabulary questions, and each one shows the correct answer with a short explanation as soon as you respond. The full answer key is also listed further down the page under "questions with answers".
Is this vocabulary quiz useful for competitive exams?
Yes, as practice. It covers synonyms, antonyms, fill-in-the-blanks and word meanings, which are common question types in the English sections of school, college-entrance and job exams, as well as SAT-style vocabulary. For full exam preparation, combine it with regular reading and a word list for your exam.
How many questions are in this vocabulary quiz?
There are 15 multiple-choice questions, each with four options. They move from easy to hard, and most people finish in about four to five minutes.
Can I play the vocabulary quiz online for free without signing up?
Yes. This quiz on vocabulary is completely free and needs no account. Just press Start, answer the questions and see your score instantly.