154 VOCABULARY FOR TOEFL iBT
omniscient (om·'nish·e ̆nt) adj. having infinite knowledge; knowing all things. In
a story with an omniscient narrator, we can hear the thoughts and feelings of all of the
characters.
onus ('oh·nu ̆s) n. duty or responsibility of doing something; task, burden. It was
Clark’s idea, so the onus is on him to show us that it will work.
opprobrious (o ̆·'proh·bree·u ̆s) adj. 1. expressing contempt or reproach; scornful,
abusive. 2. bringing shame or disgrace. It was inappropriate to make such oppro-
brious remarks in front of everybody.
opulent ('op·yu ̆·le ̆nt) adj. 1. possessing great wealth, affluent. 2. abundant, luxu-
rious. Lee is very wealthy, but he does not live an opulent lifestyle.
oscillate ('os· ̆·layt) v. 1. to swing back and forth or side to side in a steady,
uninterrupted rhythm. 2. to waver, as between two conflicting options or opin-
ions; vacillate. The rhythm of the oscillating fan put the baby to sleep.
ostensible (o·'sten·s ̆·be ̆l) adj. seeming, appearing as such, put forward (as of a
reason) but not necessarily so; pretended. The ostensible reason for the meeting is
to discuss the candidates, but I believe they have already made their decision.
ostracize ('os·tra ̆·s ̄z) v. to reject, cast out from a group or from society. Kendall
was ostracized after he repeatedly stole from his friends.
overweening (oh·ve ̆r·'wee·nin) adj. 1. presumptuously arrogant, overbearing.- excessive, immoderate. I quit because I couldn’t stand to work for such an over-
weening boss.
oxymoron (oks·ee·'moh·ro ̆n) n. a figure of speech containing a seemingly con-
tradictory combination of expressions, such as friendly fire. The term nonwork-
ing mother is a contemptible oxymoron.
P
palliate ('pal·ee·ayt) v. 1. to make something less intense or severe, mitigate,
alleviate; to gloss over, put a positive spin on. 2. to provide relief from pain,
relieve the symptoms of a disease or disorder. The governor tried to palliate his
malfeasance, but it soon became clear that he would not be able to prevent a scandal.
pallor ('pal·o ̆r) n. paleness, lack of color. The fever subsided, but her pallor remained
for several weeks.
paltry ('pawl·tree) adj. 1. lacking in importance or worth, insignificant; con-
temptibly small in amount. 2. wretched or contemptible, pitiful. Walton could-
n’t believe the billionaire offered such a paltry reward for the return of his lost dog.