Top 100 Advanced Vocabulary words for GCE O-levels English Tutorial
Here is the complete list of the Top 100 Vocabulary Words for GCE O-levels with age-appropriate
definitions and usage examples in the Singapore context.
Week 1: Words 1-25
1.Abstract
•Definition: Existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete
existence.
•Usage: Abstract concepts such as love or beauty can be difficult to define.
2.Brevity
•Definition: Concise and exact use of words in writing or speech.
•Usage: The brevity of his speech surprised the audience.
3.Cacophony
•Definition: A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.
•Usage: A cacophony of voices filled the school hall during recess.
4.Daunt
•Definition: Make someone feel intimidated or apprehensive.
•Usage: The size of the GCE O-levels exam syllabus can daunt many students.
5.Eccentric
•Definition: (Of a person or their behavior) unconventional and slightly strange.
•Usage: My eccentric teacher has a habit of wearing bright, mismatched socks.
6.Facetious
•Definition: Treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor.
•Usage: His facetious remarks during the serious discussion were not appreciated.
7.Gregarious
•Definition: Fond of company; sociable.
•Usage: She was known to be gregarious, always surrounded by friends at school.
8.Heterogeneous
•Definition: Diverse in character or content.
•Usage: Singapore is a heterogeneous society with people from various cultures.
9.Immutable
•Definition: Unchanging over time or unable to be changed.
•Usage: The school rules are immutable and must be followed by everyone.
10.Juxtapose
•Definition: Place or deal with close together for contrasting effect.
•Usage: The teacher juxtaposed old and new teaching methods in her lesson.
11.Knack
•Definition: An acquired or natural skill at performing a task.
•Usage: She has a knack for solving difficult math problems quickly.
12.Lament
•Definition: A passionate expression of grief or sorrow.
•Usage: The community lamented the loss of their beloved principal.
13.Mundane
•Definition: Lacking interest or excitement; dull.
•Usage: Completing mundane tasks like homework is still important for learning.
14.Nostalgia
•Definition: A sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past.
•Usage: She felt nostalgia when looking at old photos from Primary 1.
15.Obsolete
•Definition: No longer produced or used; out of date.
•Usage: The old textbooks were made obsolete by the new syllabus.
16.Pervasive
•Definition: Spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people.
•Usage: The importance of PSLE results is pervasive in Singaporean society.
17.Querulous
•Definition: Complaining in a petulant or whining manner.
•Usage: The querulous student constantly complained about the amount of
homework.
18.Resilient
•Definition: (Of a person or animal) able to withstand or recover quickly from
difficult conditions.
•Usage: Singaporeans are known for being resilient in the face of challenges.
19.Serene
•Definition: Calm, peaceful, and untroubled; tranquil.
•Usage: The serene atmosphere in the library helped her focus on studying.
20.Tenacious
•Definition: Tending to keep a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely.
•Usage: His tenacious attitude towards learning ensured his success.
21.Unorthodox
•Definition: Contrary to what is usual, traditional, or accepted; not orthodox.
•Usage: Her unorthodox study methods raised a few eyebrows but worked well for
her.
22.Vacillate
•Definition: Alternate or waver between different opinions or actions; be indecisive.
•Usage: He vacillated between choosing art or music as his co-curricular activity.
23.Whimsical
•Definition: Playfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way.
•Usage: The whimsical decorations at the school carnival delighted the children.
24.Xenophobic
•Definition: Having or showing a dislike of or prejudice against people from other
countries.
•Usage: The school promotes harmony and discourages xenophobic attitudes.
25.Zealot
•Definition: A person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their
religious, political, or other ideals.
•Usage: The environmental zealot organized numerous clean-up campaigns around
the school.
Week 2: Words 26-50
26.Apathetic
•Definition: Showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
•Usage: He seemed apathetic about the situation, not showing any excitement.
27.Bombastic
•Definition: High-sounding but with little meaning; inflated.
•Usage: His bombastic speech did not impress the audience.
28.Charlatan
•Definition: A person falsely claiming to have special knowledge or skill.
•Usage: The charlatan pretended to be an expert in math.
29.Deferential
•Definition: Showing deference; respectful.
•Usage: The students were deferential to their teachers.
30.Enigma
•Definition: A person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand.
•Usage: The new student was an enigma to everyone in the class.
31.Fallacy
•Definition: A mistaken belief, especially one based on unsound arguments.
•Usage: Believing that all homework is useless is a fallacy.
32.Garrulous
•Definition: Excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters.
•Usage: The garrulous student held up the class with her constant chatter.
33.Harbinger
•Definition: A person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another.
•Usage: The cool breeze was a harbinger of the coming storm.
34.Iconoclast
•Definition: A person who attacks cherished beliefs or institutions.
•Usage: The iconoclast challenged the traditional ways of teaching.
35.Jovial
•Definition: Cheerful and friendly.
•Usage: He was in a jovial mood after receiving his exam results.
36.Knell
•Definition: The sound of a bell, especially when rung solemnly for a death or funeral.
•Usage: The knell of the church bell could be heard across the neighborhood.
37.Lethargic
•Definition: Sluggish and apathetic.
•Usage: After the long weekend, the students felt lethargic in class.
38.Meticulous
•Definition: Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
•Usage: Her meticulous notes helped her score well in the exam.
39.Nefarious
•Definition: (Typically of an action or activity) wicked or criminal.
•Usage: The nefarious plot was uncovered by the teacher just in time.
40.Obfuscate
•Definition: Render obscure, unclear, or unintelligible.
•Usage: The complicated explanation only served to obfuscate the lesson.
41.Paragon
•Definition: A person or thing regarded as a perfect example of a particular quality.
•Usage: She was a paragon of diligence and hard work.
42.Quixotic
•Definition: Exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical.
•Usage: His quixotic dream of building a robot from scratch was admirable but impractical.
43.Reticent
•Definition: Not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily.
•Usage: She was reticent about her feelings on the new school policy.
44.Stoic
•Definition: A person who can endure pain or hardship without showing their feelings or
complaining.
•Usage: He remained stoic despite the challenging situation.
45.Trepidation
•Definition: A feeling of fear or agitation about something that may happen.
•Usage: She approached the stage with trepidation before her big performance.
46.Ubiquitous
•Definition: Present, appearing, or found everywhere.
•Usage: Smartphones have become ubiquitous in today’s society.
47.Vex
•Definition: Make (someone) feel annoyed, frustrated, or worried, especially with trivial
matters.
•Usage: The constant noise from the construction site began to vex the residents.
48.Winsome
•Definition: Attractive or appealing in appearance or character.
•Usage: Her winsome smile won the hearts of everyone she met.
49.Xenophile
•Definition: An individual who is attracted to foreign peoples, cultures, or customs.
•Usage: As a xenophile, she enjoyed learning about different cultures.
50.Zealous
•Definition: Having or showing zeal.
•Usage: The council was extremely zealous in the application of the new regulations.
Week 3: Words 51-75
51.Ambivalent
•Definition: Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.
•Usage: She felt ambivalent about choosing between two equally good schools.
52.Belittle
•Definition: Make (someone or something) seem unimportant.
•Usage: The coach’s harsh words seemed to belittle the team’s efforts.
53.Candid
•Definition: Truthful and straightforward; frank.
•Usage: His candid feedback was appreciated by the teacher.
54.Discrepancy
•Definition: A lack of compatibility or similarity between two or more facts.
•Usage: There was a discrepancy between the two reports that needed to be addressed.
55.Eloquent
•Definition: Fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing.
•Usage: The speaker was eloquent, captivating the audience with her words.
56.Frivolous
•Definition: Not having any serious purpose or value.
•Usage: The lawsuit was dismissed as frivolous by the judge.
57.Gratitude
•Definition: The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return
kindness.
•Usage: She expressed her gratitude to the teacher for the extra help.
58.Haphazard
•Definition: Lacking any obvious principle of organization.
•Usage: The papers were scattered in a haphazard manner on the desk.
59.Inquisitive
•Definition: Curious or inquiring.
•Usage: The inquisitive student always asked thoughtful questions in class.
60.Jaded
•Definition: Tired, bored, or lacking enthusiasm, typically after having had too much of
something.
•Usage: After a long week, he felt jaded and in need of rest.
61.Kinetic
•Definition: Relating to or resulting from motion.
•Usage: The kinetic energy of the moving ball was used to knock over the pins.
62.Lucrative
•Definition: Producing a great deal of profit.
•Usage: She found a lucrative career in technology.
63.Melancholy
•Definition: A feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause.
•Usage: The melancholy song reflected his mood perfectly.
64.Nuance
•Definition: A subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound.
•Usage: He appreciated the nuances in her tone that conveyed deeper meaning.
65.Oblivious
•Definition: Not aware of or not concerned about what is happening around one.
•Usage: She was oblivious to the fact that everyone was waiting for her.
66.Pessimistic
•Definition: Tending to see the worst aspect of things or believe that the worst will happen.
•Usage: He was pessimistic about the outcome of the test.
67.Quandary
•Definition: A state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation.
•Usage: She was in a quandary about whether to attend the event.
68.Rhetoric
•Definition: The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing.
•Usage: His rhetoric was so persuasive that he won over the entire audience.
69.Sagacious
•Definition: Having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment; wise or
shrewd.
•Usage: The sagacious leader made decisions that benefited everyone.
70.Trivial
•Definition: Of little value or importance.
•Usage: The argument was over something trivial, like who would sit where.
71.Uncanny
•Definition: Strange or mysterious, especially in an unsettling way.
•Usage: She had an uncanny ability to predict the outcome of events.
72.Validate
•Definition: Check or prove the validity or accuracy of something.
•Usage: The experiment validated the scientist’s theory.
73.Wistful
•Definition: Having or showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing.
•Usage: She gave a wistful glance at the playground, remembering her childhood days.
74.Xenogenesis
•Definition: The supposed generation of offspring completely and permanently different
from the parent.
•Usage: The concept of xenogenesis is often explored in science fiction.
75.Zeal
•Definition: Great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.
•Usage: His zeal for learning was evident in his dedication to his studies.
Week 4: Words 76-100
76.Aesthetic
•Definition: Concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty.
•Usage: The artwork was admired for its aesthetic appeal.
77.Blatant
•Definition: (Of bad behavior) done openly and unashamedly.
•Usage: The blatant disregard for the rules was shocking.
78.Coerce
•Definition: Persuade (an unwilling person) to do something by using force or threats.
•Usage: He was coerced into signing the agreement.
79.Diligent
•Definition: Having or showing care and conscientiousness in one’s work or duties.
•Usage: She was a diligent student, always completing her assignments on time.
80.Exonerate
•Definition: (Especially of an official body) absolve (someone) from blame for a fault or
wrongdoing.
•Usage: The investigation exonerated the student of any wrongdoing.
81.Fickle
•Definition: Changing frequently, especially as regards one’s loyalties or affections.
•Usage: His fickle nature made it hard for him to stick to one hobby.
82.Gravitate
•Definition: Move toward or be attracted to a place, person, or thing.
•Usage: Students gravitate towards fun and engaging learning activities.
83.Heed
•Definition: Pay attention to; take notice of.
•Usage: He should have heeded the advice given by his teacher.
84.Imminent
•Definition: About to happen.
•Usage: The storm was imminent, and the school quickly prepared.
85.Jovial
•Definition: Cheerful and friendly.
•Usage: The jovial atmosphere at the party was contagious.
86.Kindle
•Definition: Light or set on fire.
•Usage: His enthusiasm for science kindled a love for learning in his classmates.
87.Loquacious
•Definition: Tending to talk a great deal; talkative.
•Usage: The loquacious girl could chat endlessly about her favorite books.
88.Melodramatic
•Definition: Characteristic of melodrama, especially in being exaggerated, sensationalized,
or overemotional.
•Usage: His reaction to losing the game was melodramatic.
90.Notorious
•Definition: Famous or well-known, typically for some bad quality or deed.
•Usage: The notorious prankster was known throughout the school for his mischief.
91.Optimize
•Definition: Make the best or most effective use of (a situation or resource).
•Usage: She optimized her study schedule to maximize learning and rest.
92.Plausible
•Definition: (Of an argument or statement) seeming reasonable or probable.
•Usage: The teacher found his excuse for being late to be plausible.
93.Quintessential
•Definition: Representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class.
•Usage: She was the quintessential example of a dedicated student.
94.Reclusive
•Definition: Avoiding the company of other people; solitary.
•Usage: The reclusive artist rarely left his studio.
95.Superfluous
•Definition: Unnecessary, especially through being more than enough.
•Usage: The extra decorations seemed superfluous for such a simple event.
96.Transcend
•Definition: Be or go beyond the range or limits of (a field of activity or conceptual sphere).
•Usage: Her talent transcended the expectations for someone her age.
97.Unprecedented
•Definition: Never done or known before.
•Usage: The school's decision to offer online classes was unprecedented.
98.Verbose
•Definition: Using or expressed in more words than are needed.
•Usage: His essay was criticized for being too verbose and lacking focus.
99.Wary
•Definition: Feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems.
•Usage: The students were wary of the new teacher's strict rules.
100.Xenial
- Definition: Relating to hospitality between host and guest.
- Usage: The exchange program emphasized xenial relationships between students from
different countries.
This comprehensive list is designed to help GCE O-levels English students expand their vocabulary
with words that are appropriate for their age, while also incorporating examples that resonate with
their experiences in a Singaporean context.