An accoutrement is a piece of clothing or equipment that is used in a particular place or for a particular activity. In military contexts, accoutrement refers specifically to a soldier's outfit. The word can also refer to an identifying and often superficial characteristic or device. Accoutrement in any of its uses is often pluralized.

// They have all the accoutrements that a baker could ever want, including a robust collection of cookie cutters and a veritable wardrobe of vintage aprons.

Valedictory describes something expressing or containing a farewell.

// The valedictory speech given by the department chair moved several faculty members to tears.

An interloper is a person who intrudes in a place or sphere of activity; they are not wanted or welcome by the other people present.

// Summer residents were regarded as interlopers who lacked a commitment to the town's welfare.

As a synonym of aromatic, the word redolent can describe something that has a noticeable smell without specifying the scent, but more often it is accompanied by of or with and means “full of a specified fragrance,” as in “redolent with incense.” Redolent can also describe something that causes thoughts or memories of something, as in “music redolent of the 1980s.”

// The late-spring meadow was redolent of wildflowers and petrichor.

Crux refers to the most important part of something (such as a problem, issue, or puzzle). It is often used in the phrase "the crux of."

// The crux of the problem is that the project's budget is totally inadequate.

Permutation is a formal word for any one of the many different ways or forms in which something exists or can be arranged. It can also refer to a major or fundamental change in something based primarily on rearrangement of its existing elements. Permutation is usually used in its plural form.

// Early permutations of the design look nothing like the final result.

// The system has gone through several permutations.

Cohort refers to a group or band of individuals, as in “a cohort of supporters.” It can also be used for a group of individuals who have a statistical factor (such as age) in common in a demographic study, as in “a cohort of people born in the 1980s.” Cohort can be used for individuals too, as for a friend, companion, or colleague, but it is almost always used in its plural form.

// I wouldn’t have made it through graduate school without the help of my supportive cohort.

. a favorite saying of a sect or political group

. a manner of speaking or acting that is distinctive of a particular group

. a widely held belief

To ingratiate yourself with others is to gain their favor or approval by deliberately doing or saying things they will like. Ingratiate is usually used with with, and is often (though not always) used disapprovingly.

// Scam artists often have an uncanny ability to ingratiate themselves with their victims using subtle flattery that only seems obvious in retrospect.

// Although she was nervous to be the new girl in school, Emma quickly ingratiated herself with her classmates through her effortless charm and kind demeanor.

a state of nervous excitement, haste, or anxiety; flutter.

I was in such a swivet that I could hardly speak.

Gordian knot refers to a complicated and difficult problem. It is often used in the phrase cut the Gordian knot, which means “to solve a difficult problem in a very direct way by doing something forceful or extreme.”

// The organization’s change in leadership is being widely applauded as a step toward stability, but many are less than optimistic about the new director’s ability to cut the Gordian knot at the center of its troubles.

Sacrosanct is a formal word that describes something too important and respected to be changed or criticized. It can also mean "most sacred or holy."

// While the family's new matriarch aimed to maintain the familiar traditions of the holidays, she did not consider the details of their celebration to be sacrosanct.

Lacuna is a formal word that refers to a gap or blank space in something—in other words, a missing part. When used with respect to biology, lacuna also refers to a small cavity, pit, or discontinuity in an anatomical structure.

// The absence of hemlock pollen from one stretch of the fossil record is a notable lacuna that suggests the tree may have once suffered from some type of blight that nearly wiped out the species.

// An osteocyte is a cell that is isolated in a lacuna of bone.

Cordial describes someone or something that is politely pleasant and friendly.

// All the guests were assembled and given a cordial greeting by the host.

To vindicate someone is to show that they are not guilty. Vindicate can also mean “to show that someone or something that has been criticized or doubted is correct, true, or reasonable.”

// A series of testimonies helped vindicate the defendant.

// Their much-maligned approach to the problem has now been vindicated by these positive results.

1. the solid earth; firm ground

Tortuous describes something that has many literal or figurative twists and turns.

// The tortuous mountain path rewards climbers with a stunning view of the town below.

// Getting approval for a project of this magnitude is a tortuous process.

Imbroglio is a formal word that refers to a complex dispute or argument.

// Much of the sisters’ text thread involves the the latest imbroglios on their favorite reality show—who’s mad at who for what, and why.

implicit \ ɪmˈplɪsɪt \ adjective

1. suggested though not directly expressed

2. being without doubt or reserve

Catercorner is used to describe two things that are located across from each other on opposite corners. It is a less common variant of kitty-corner.

// The store is catercorner from the park, making it the perfect location to grab snacks for our picnic.

Paragon is a formal word that refers to a person or thing that is perfect or excellent in some way and should be considered a model or example to be copied.

// In Arthurian legend, Sir Galahad is depicted as a paragon of virtue.

To gallivant is to go or travel to many different places for pleasure. Gallivant is a somewhat informal word that is often applied when the user of the word does not approve of such pleasurable traveling.

// They’ve been gallivanting all over town instead of studying for their finals.

Dudgeon is typically used in the phrase “in high dudgeon” to describe someone who is angry and offended by something they perceive to be unfair or wrong.

// The customer stormed out of the store in high dudgeon after the manager refused to give them a refund for their purchase.

1. provide evidence for

2. authenticate; affirm to be true, genuine or correct

3. establish or verify the usage of

4. give testimony in a court of law

at great speed; rapidly 

To augur is to show or suggest, especially from omens, that something might happen in the future. Used most often in formal speech or writing, augur is often followed by an adverb, such as well.

// The downturn augurs badly for the success of the business.

Scrupulous describes someone who is very careful about doing something correctly, or something marked by such carefulness. Scrupulous can also describe someone who is careful about doing what is honest and morally right.

// She was always scrupulous about her work.

// Being an editor requires scrupulous attention to detail.

// Less scrupulous companies find ways to evade the law.

To exasperate someone is to cause them irritation or annoyance, or to make them angry.

// We were all exasperated by the delays.

Beltane refers to the Celtic May Day festival.

// Beltane falls each year approximately halfway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice.

Evanescent is a formal and literary word that describes something that only lasts a very short time.

// Our acting coach always reminded us that fame is evanescent, and that we should pursue a life in the theater purely for the love of the art.

A boondoggle is an expensive and wasteful project usually paid for with public money. Boondoggle is also a word for a braided cord worn by Boy Scouts as a neckerchief slide, hatband, or ornament.

// Critics say the dam is a complete boondoggle—over budget, behind schedule, and unnecessary.

To juxtapose things is to place them together in order to create an interesting effect or to show how they are the same or different.

// The local museum’s new exhibit juxtaposes modern art with classical art.

Fortitude is a formal word that refers to the strength of mind that enables someone to encounter danger or to bear pain or adversity with courage. Less formal words with similar meanings include grit, fiber, and pluck. // To reach the summit of the mountain requires not only great physical strength and training but the fortitude to persevere no matter the challenge.

intense desire; strong natural craving

Something may be described as tantamount to something else if it is equal in value, meaning, or effect.

// The pop star’s fans see any criticism of her music as tantamount to a crime.

Orthography refers to the way in which the words of a language are spelled, or to the art of writing words with the proper letters according to standard usage.

// As the winner of several spelling bees, she impressed her teachers with her exceptional grasp of orthography.

To indoctrinate someone is to teach them to fully accept the ideas, opinions, and beliefs of a particular group while categorically rejecting other ideas, opinions, and beliefs.

// The video series attempts to indoctrinate younger audiences with ahistorical and unscientific ideas.

loosely made or held together; rickety; shaky.

ex - a ramshackle house.

Brazen describes someone who is acting, or something that is done, in a very open and shocking way without shame or embarrassment.

// The opposition party’s campaign has not been shy in assailing the brazen corruption of the incumbent for funneling public funds into private coffers.

1. having the same border or covering the same area.

2. being the same in extent; coextensive in range or scope.

Mayhem refers to needless or willful damage or violence, and especially to a scene or situation that involves a lot of violence. In figurative use, it may refer to any instance of excited activity.

// The director's newest thriller is brimming with murder and mayhem.

 incapable of being retracted or revoked; cannot be undone or taken back

A kibitzer is someone who watches other people and makes unwanted comments about what they are doing.

// It wasn't long after they bought their house that the couple heard from neighborhood kibitzers offering tips on landscaping and remodeling.

Subterfuge is a formal word that refers to the use of tricks to hide, avoid, or get something.

// They obtained the documents by subterfuge.

Glaucous as a color word can describe things of two rather different shades: a light bluish-gray or bluish-white color, or a pale yellow-green. It can also mean "having a powdery or waxy coating that gives a frosted appearance and tends to rub off."

// His glaucous eyes grew wide with curiosity.

// The tree's glaucous leaves help prevent sun damage.

A scientist who specializes in studying life in the universe is an astrobiologist. Many astrobiologists focus on searching for evidence of life beyond the earth.

In simplest terms, panache refers to lively grace and style; it appears in contexts in which words like verve and flair are also applied.

// The cast of the play was excellent—even those playing supporting characters acted with great panache. 

Laudable is a somewhat formal word used to describe something as worthy of praise. It is a synonym of commendable. // Thanks to the laudable efforts of dozens of volunteers, the town's Spring Festival was an enjoyable event for everyone.

The verb cotton is used with on or on to to mean “to begin to understand something; to catch on.” Cotton used with to alone means “to begin to like someone or something.”

// It took a while, but they are finally starting to cotton on.

// She quickly cottoned on to why her friend was nudging her, and stopped talking just before their teacher entered the room.

// We cottoned to our new neighbors right away.