What is a word bank?
A word bank is a list of words one likes – it really is as simple as that.
But why keep a word bank?
Why not? As a writer I believe it is important to maintain an interest in language, to build and maintain a diverse vocabulary. Sometimes I see words on a page I’m not familiar with and look them up; sometimes I see a word I’ve not come across for a while and want to keep it somewhere to use later; sometimes I see or hear a word and just love it.
This list is a bit of a snapshot of my bigger word bank, but I will update it from time to time with new words. I definitely recommend if you are a writer, you consider keeping your own word bank. I predominantly use the Cambridge Dictionary, as it is free to use (you just need to make an account with your email address) and you can keep a word list there. Click here to see mine as an example (requires sign in). I also use the Oxford English Dictionary which requires a subscription, an academic email address or library account to access it.
My word bank
| Word | Meaning | Source |
|---|---|---|
| abrogate | to end a law, agreement, or custom formally | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/abrogate |
| acerbic | used to describe something that is spoken or written in a way that is direct, clever, and cruel | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/acerbic |
| adjuration | the act of asking or ordering someone to do something | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/adjuration |
| auspice | An observation of birds for the purpose of obtaining omens; a sign or token given by birds. | Oxford English Dictionary https://www.oed.com/dictionary/auspice_n?tab=meaning_and_use |
| beatification | the formal announcement in the Roman Catholic Church that someone who is dead has lived a holy life, usually as the first stage of making that person a saint the idea that someone should be recognized by everyone as being extremely good or perfect | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/beatification |
| beatitude | complete happiness that comes from being blessed (= made holy) by God | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/beatitude |
| bilious | relating to an illness, caused by too much bile, that can cause vomiting | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/bilious |
| brevity | using only a few words or lasting only a short time | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/brevity |
| denude | to remove the covering of something, especially land | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/denude |
| diffident | shy and not confident of your abilities | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/diffident |
| dulcify (rare) | transitive. To make (food or drink) sweet to the taste; to sweeten. transitive. figurative and in extended use. To sweeten in temper; to make more agreeable or pleasant; to soften, mollify, appease. intransitive. To speak in soft or gentle tones. Also transitive: to say (something) in this way. Now rare. | Oxford English Dictionary https://www.oed.com/dictionary/dulcify_v?tab=meaning_and_use#6097342 |
| duplicity | dishonest talk or behaviour, especially by saying different things to two people | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/duplicity |
| ebullience | the quality of being full of energy and happiness | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/ebullience |
| eyesome (rare) | Pleasing to the eye; attractive. | Oxford English Dictionary https://www.oed.com/dictionary/eyesome_adj?tab=meaning_and_use |
| facetious | not serious about a serious subject, in an attempt to be funny or to appear clever | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/facetious |
| gambol | to run and jump in a happy way | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/gambol |
| gravitas | seriousness and importance of manner, causing feelings of respect and trust in others | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/gravitas |
| illimitable | without limit | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/illimitable |
| indefatigable | always determined and energetic in trying to achieve something and never willing to admit defeat | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/indefatigable |
| impecunious | having very little money | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/impecunious |
| inveterate | Firmly established by long continuance; long-established; deep-rooted; obstinate. (Now mostly of things evil.) Of disease: Of long standing, chronic; hence, deep-seated and resisting treatment. Settled or confirmed in habit, condition, or practice; habitual, hardened, obstinate. | Oxford English Dictionary https://www.oed.com/dictionary/inveterate_adj?tab=meaning_and_use#198133 |
| irenic | encouraging peace or agreement | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/irenic |
| lacuna | an absent part, especially in a book or other piece of writing | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/lacuna |
| lascivious | expressing a strong desire for sexual activity | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/lascivious |
| levity | humour or lack of seriousness, especially during a serious occasion | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/levity |
| obstreperous | difficult to deal with and noisy | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/obstreperous |
| opsimath | A person who begins to learn or study late in life. | Oxford English Dictionary https://www.oed.com/dictionary/opsimath_n?tab=meaning_and_use |
| perfidious | unable to be trusted, or showing no loyalty | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/perfidious |
| preponderant | important or large | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/preponderant |
| platitude | a remark or statement that may be true but is boring and has no meaning because it has been said so many times before | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/platitude |
| polymath | A person of great or varied learning; a person acquainted with many fields of study; an accomplished scholar. | Oxford English Dictionary https://www.oed.com/dictionary/polymath_n?tab=meaning_and_use#29564614 |
| propitiate | transitive. To make well-disposed or favourably inclined; to win or regain the favour of; to appease, conciliate. intransitive. To make propitiation; to atone for. | Oxford English Dictionary https://www.oed.com/dictionary/propitiate_v?tab=meaning_and_use#28244784 |
| prosaic | without interest, imagination, and excitement | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/prosaic |
| pugilist | a boxer or fighter | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/pugilist |
| pulchritudinous | (especially of a woman) beautiful | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/pulchritudinous |
| repine | to feel sad or complain about something, especially a bad situation | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/repine |
| sibilance | the fact of making a “s” or “sh” sound | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/sibilance |
| syncopate | to have a rhythm in which strong notes are not on the beat, or to create music that has this rhythm | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/syncopate |
| transubstantiation | the belief, especially by Roman Catholics, that during Mass (= a religious ceremony) bread and wine are changed into the body and blood of Jesus Christ | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/transubstantiation |
| tutelage | help, advice, or teaching about how to do something | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/tutelage |
| vacillate | to be uncertain what to do, or to change often between two opinions | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/vacillate |
| venerable | deserving respect because of age, high position, or religious or historical importance | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/venerable |
| verisimilitude | the quality of seeming true or of having the appearance of being real | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/verisimilitude |
| wherefore | for what reason; why | Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/wherefore |