Are you preparing up for the Civil Service Exam in the Philippines? Boost your chances of success by dedicating time each day to expand your vocabulary. In this guide, we’ll explore 25 essential words that frequently appear in the exam. By mastering these words, you’ll enhance your comprehension skills and improve your performance in the language section.
Word | Meaning | Example |
---|---|---|
Affable (adjective) | Friendly, good-natured, or easy to talk to | His affable manner made him popular among his peers. |
Beleaguer (verb) | To besiege; to surround with difficulties | The city was beleaguered by the enemy forces. |
Circumspect (adjective) | Wary and unwilling to take risks | The circumspect investor carefully considered all options before deciding. |
Deleterious (adjective) | Causing harm or damage | The deleterious effects of pollution on health are well-documented. |
Ephemeral (adjective) | Lasting for a very short time | The ephemeral beauty of the sunset was breathtaking. |
Flabbergast (verb) | To surprise or shock someone | He was flabbergasted by the unexpected news. |
Gregarious (adjective) | Fond of company; sociable | The gregarious host made sure everyone felt welcome at the party. |
Hapless (adjective) | Unfortunate | The hapless traveler lost his way in the unfamiliar city. |
Incendiary (adjective) | Designed to cause fires or conflict | His incendiary remarks sparked a heated debate. |
Jocular (adjective) | Fond of or characterized by joking | His jocular personality made him the life of the party. |
Knell (noun) | The sound of a bell, especially when rung solemnly for a death or funeral | The knell of the church bell echoed through the village. |
Lethargic (adjective) | Affected by lethargy; sluggish and apathetic | The hot weather made everyone feel lethargic and sleepy. |
Mollify (verb) | To appease the anger or anxiety of someone | She tried to mollify the angry customer with a refund. |
Nefarious (adjective) | Wicked or criminal | The nefarious activities of the criminal gang were uncovered by the police. |
Ostentatious (adjective) | Characterized by vulgar or pretentious display; designed to impress | His ostentatious display of wealth was frowned upon by many. |
Placid (adjective) | Not easily upset or excited | The placid waters of the lake were a welcome sight after the storm. |
Quell (verb) | To put an end to a rebellion or other disorder | The government tried to quell the unrest with a show of force. |
Reticent (adjective) | Not revealing one’s thoughts or feelings readily | She was reticent about her plans for the future. |
Venerate (verb) | Regard with great respect; revere | The community venerated the elder for his wisdom and experience. |
Wane (verb) | Decrease in vigor, power, or extent; become weaker | As the night waned, the crowd began to disperse. |
Xenophobia (noun) | Dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries | The government’s xenophobic policies were widely criticized. |
Yoke (noun) | To join together; to harness | The farmers yoked the oxen to plow the field. |
Zealous (adjective) | Having or showing zeal; passionate | She was zealous in her pursuit of a career in medicine. |