List of English Vocabulary Words for SSC Exam

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Author at PW

July 22, 2025

English Vocabulary for SSC exams is one of the most important parts you must prepare for if you're aiming to crack exams like SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS, etc. In the English section, many questions are based on vocabulary like synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitutions, idioms, and comprehension. If you know the right words, you can easily score more marks in this section.

So to help you get ready, we’ve compiled a list of English vocab for SSC CGL. Some of these words were from previous years' exams and are commonly asked in exams. Keep reading to explore words that can boost your CGL vocabulary.

Check Out: SSC Books

English Vocab for SSC

English vocabulary for SSC is very important because many questions in the English section are asked just to check your word knowledge. The questions are generally framed in different ways, like fill-in-the-blanks, spelling correction, one-word substitution, and idioms. If you know the meaning of common words and how to use them, you can solve these questions more correctly.

In exams like SSC CGL, vocabulary carries a high weightage of marks in Tier 1 as well as in Tier 2. That’s why it is a wise idea to build your English vocab for SSC CGL to achieve as many marks as possible in the English section.

Check Out: SSC English Game Changer

List of Important English Vocabulary for SSC CGL

A strong English vocabulary for SSC CGL can really help you score better in the English section, where word-based questions are common. Whether it’s synonyms, idioms, or one-word substitutions, having a good command of vocabulary makes it easier to solve such questions with speed and confidence.

If you're preparing seriously for SSC CGL, make sure to revise vocabulary regularly. Check the list of important words given below with a simple meaning to help you understand them better and improve overall SSC CGL vocabulary:

English Vocab for SSC CGL
Word	Meaning
Abattoir	A place where animals are killed for meat
Abdication	Giving up the throne or position
Ballad	A short song or poem that tells a story
Bevy	A large group of girls or birds
Cadaverous	Looking like a dead body, very pale and thin
Cajole	To convince with flattery or lies
Debacle	A sudden and complete failure
Despotism	Cruel and unfair rule by one person
Ebullient	Full of energy and excitement
Emigrate	To leave one's own country to live elsewhere
Facsimile	An exact copy of something
Frugal	Spending money carefully
Garrulous	Talks too much, especially about unimportant things
Gratify	To please or satisfy someone
Hackneyed	Overused and no longer interesting
Haven	A safe and peaceful place
Idealism	Believing in perfection or the best possible idea
Ignoramus	A person who knows very little
Jaunt	A short trip taken for fun
Jargon	Special words used by a particular group
Keen	Very eager or sharp in mind
Kudos	Praise or credit for an achievement
Laconic	Using very few words
Legacy	Money or property left in a will
Magnanimous	Very generous and kind
Meander	To walk or move slowly without a clear direction
Naive	Too trusting because of a lack of experience
Niche	A small, special place or role
Obliterate	To completely destroy or wipe out
Omen	A sign that something good or bad will happen
Pacifist	A person who does not believe in violence
Paradox	A statement that seems to contradict itself
Quaint	Attractively old-fashioned
Quench	To satisfy thirst or to stop a fire
Rabble	A noisy, disorganized crowd
Reclusive	Someone who stays away from others
Sagacious	Wise and clever
Serene	Calm and peaceful
Tactful	Saying the right thing without offending anyone
Trivial	Not important
Ubiquitous	Found everywhere
Ultimatum	A final demand or warning
Vagrant	A homeless person who moves from place to place
Valiant	Brave and courageous
Wanderlust	A strong desire to travel
Wholesome	Good for your health or mind
Xenophobia	Fear or hatred of strangers or foreigners
Xenophile	A person who likes foreign cultures or people
Yawn	Opening your mouth wide when tired or bored
Yearn	To long for something strongly
Zeal	Great enthusiasm or passion
Zenith	The highest point or peak

Check Out: SSC Previous year Papers

Previous Year Vocab for SSC CGL

Previous Year Vocab for SSC CGL is very helpful for scoring good marks. In Tier 1 of SSC CGL, there are four sections, and each section has 25 questions for 50 marks. The English section is known to be one of the easiest and highest-scoring parts of the exam, but only if your vocabulary is strong.

That’s why going through the previous year vocab for SSC CGL is advised. SSC often repeats word-based questions like synonyms, antonyms, idioms, phrases, and one-word substitutions. By learning from past papers, you get a better idea of what to expect and can prepare more confidently.

Find the list of some important SSC CGL vocabulary from previous years with meanings to help you revise easily below.

Previous Year Vocab for SSC CGL With Meaning and Synonyms
Word	Simple Meaning	Synonym
Infatuation	A strong but short-term liking for someone or something	Passion
Beautiful	Looks nice or pleasing to the eyes	Handsome
Momentous	Very important, especially for the future	Important
Quiver	Shake slightly, often from emotion	Tremble
Adulation	Too much praise or admiration	Flattery
Contemplation	Thinking deeply or watching something for a long time	Meditation
Diligent	Doing work carefully and seriously	Industrious
Censure	Strong criticism or disapproval	Criticize
Fatal	Causing death	Deadly
Doleful	Very sad or full of sorrow	Mournful
Gruff	Rough or harsh sound	Rough
Fidelity	Being loyal and faithful	Loyalty
Infructuous	Not useful or without result	Fruitless
Garnish	To decorate (usually food)	Adorn
Mentor	Trusted and experienced guide	Guide
Superstitious	Believing in luck or magical things	Irrational
Ravage	Cause large damage or destruction	Demolish
Successive	Coming one after another	Consecutive
Abrogate	To officially end a law or rule	Abolish
Ceremonial	Only for formal purposes, without real power	Formal
Propitiate	To please someone to gain their favor	Appease
Capitulate	To stop resisting and accept defeat	Surrender
Estranged	Not friendly anymore	Separated
Erroneously	In the wrong or incorrect way	Wrongly
Restive	Not calm, bored, or unhappy	Restless
Nomadic	Moving from one place to another	Wandering
Premonition	A feeling that something bad is going to happen	Forewarning
Elude	To escape in a smart or tricky way	Escape
Flutter	To move lightly or quickly	Float
Priority	Something more important	Precedence
Duplication	Making a copy of something	Copying
Dilate	To become wider or larger	Widen
Obsession	An idea or thought stuck in my mind all the time	Preoccupation
Itinerant	A person who travels from one place to another	Travelling
Intrepid	Very brave, not afraid	Fearless
Abrogate	To cancel or end officially	Repeal
Deference	Respect and submission	Respect
Covenant	A legal or formal agreement	Contract
Obnoxious	Very unpleasant or annoying	Disgusting
Proliferate	Increase or grow very fast	Reproduce
Paradox	A statement that seems wrong but is true	Puzzle
Colossal	Very large or great	Enormous
Inception	Beginning of something	Origin
Grandeur	Grand and impressive style	Magnificence
Tramp	A person moving from place to place, usually on foot	Wandered
Consignee	The person who receives goods	Nominee

To make your SSC CGL vocabulary preparation even more effective, check out the White Book of English Vocabulary for SSC and Other Competitive Exams. This book is made as per the latest exam trends. It covers high-yield words that have appeared in many past exams, along with their simple meanings and usage in questions.

This book stands out because it covers real exam-based questions, shows how words are repeated in different papers, and offers smart tools like flashcards and word maps. If you are preparing for upcoming SSC or other competitive exams, this book can help you revise faster, build a strong vocabulary, and boost your overall score.

Tips to Improve Your SSC CGL Vocabulary

Improving your English vocabulary for SSC CGL is not as tough as it seems. If you follow a few simple habits every day, you’ll see a big improvement in a few weeks. Here are some effective tips that can help you boost your SSC CGL Vocabulary:

Start with Easy Reading: One easy thing you can start doing is reading simple English regularly. It can be anything like a short news article, a storybook, or a comic. The more you read, the more words you’ll come across. When you find a new word, write it down in your notebook and check its meaning.
Learn Around 5 to 6 New Words Each Day: Another useful tip is to pick a few new words daily. Don’t try to learn too many words in one day. Just note the word, its meaning, and try to make your own sentence with it.
Utilize Flashcards and Free Mobile Apps: If you want to revise words quickly, use flashcards or mobile apps. You can carry flashcards in your bag or use an app when you’re free. These simple study materials help a lot when you want to revise without wasting too much time.
Watch English Shows to Learn: Watching English cartoons or shows can also help. You’ll hear how words are spoken and used in real sentences. Make sure to turn on subtitles. After watching, try to remember two or three new words you heard and write them down.
Speak and Write the Words You Learn: Now this is something very important "use the words you learn." Try speaking them in small sentences with your friends, or write a few lines in your notebook. When you use a word, your brain remembers it for longer.
Revise Every Week: Never forget to revise weekly. Choose one day to go through all the words you learned during the week. This helps you recall everything and keeps the words fresh in your mind.
Learn Through Word Roots: Some words are connected by the same root. So if you learn one root word, you can guess the meaning of similar words too. For example, if you know the word “act,” then “action,” “actor,” and “active” will become easier to learn.
Practice With Mock Tests and Quizzes: Learning alone is not enough. Test yourself also. You can take short quizzes online or try solving past SSC CGL vocabulary questions. This helps you know the exam pattern and shows you which words are often repeated.

Building a strong English vocab for SSC takes time and a lot of effort. But in the end, it can truly make a big difference in your SSC CGL preparation. So, instead of trying to memorize hundreds of words at once, focus on learning a few new ones each day and using them in your reading, writing, or speaking.

If you're looking for complete English preparation study material that covers vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, and more, then having a reliable book can save you time and effort. SSC English Game Changer 7300+ TCS MCQ for 2025 SSC Exams includes plenty of questions based on the latest exam pattern. With topic-wise practice, mock tests, and questions picked from real exams, this book can be a smart way to improve your accuracy and speed.

English Vocabulary for SSC FAQs

Q.1. Why is English vocabulary important for SSC CGL?

Ans. English vocab for SSC exams helps in scoring better in the English section. Many questions, like fill-in-the-blanks, antonyms, and comprehension, depend on how many words you know.

Q.2. How many words should I learn to improve my SSC CGL vocabulary?

Ans. You do not need to learn too many at once. Just learn 5 to 10 new words every day. If you do this daily, you’ll know around 1000+ useful words in a few months, which is more than enough for SSC CGL.

Q.3. Does vocabulary from previous years get repeated in the SSC CGL exam?

Ans. SSC generally repeats vocab questions. That’s why going through the previous year vocab for SSC CGL can be helpful for you.

Q.4. How can I learn important English vocabulary for SSC?

Ans. To learn important CGL vocabulary, start reading simple English. Note down new words, try to use them in writing or while speaking, and revise weekly. You can also use free online apps or a reliable book to practice English vocab for SSC CGL.

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