Word games and puzzles

Match the word to its correct definition

This list gives students practice matching vocabulary words to their correct definitions, a common task in vocabulary quizzes and worksheets. Each word has a clear, distinct meaning, which makes the set useful for flashcards, matching games, or quick review before a test. It works well for middle school students building general academic vocabulary.

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Match the word to its correct definition

Word	Meaning	In a sentence
adamantadjective	Refusing to change one's mind or position; firmly determined.	She was adamant that the project would be finished on time, no matter the obstacles.
benevolentadjective	Showing kindness and a desire to help others.	A benevolent neighbor quietly paid for the damaged fence.
candidadjective	Honest and direct about what you think or know.	Please give me a candid assessment of the draft before I submit it.
diligentadjective	Working with steady care and effort.	The diligent researcher checked every quotation against its source.
eloquentadjective	Expressing ideas or feelings clearly, gracefully, and powerfully.	Her eloquent speech helped the audience understand why the park mattered.
frugaladjective	Careful and economical with money or resources, avoiding unnecessary spending or waste.	Growing up during hard times taught him to be frugal with every paycheck.
gregariousadjective	Enjoying the company of other people.	Our gregarious host introduced every guest to someone new.
hostileadjective	Unfriendly and aggressive, showing opposition or ill will toward someone or something.	The crowd grew hostile after the referee's controversial final decision.
immenseadjective	Extremely large in size, extent, degree, or intensity; far beyond the ordinary or expected.	The explorers were amazed by the immense canyon stretching for miles ahead of them.
jubilantadjective	Feeling or expressing great happiness and triumph, especially after a success.	The jubilant fans flooded the streets after their team won the championship.
keenadjective	Showing eager enthusiasm or interest, or, of a sense or edge, remarkably sharp.	She was keen to start the new job and arrived early on her first day.
lethargicadjective	Lacking energy or enthusiasm; sluggish and unwilling to move or act.	The heat left everyone feeling lethargic by the middle of the afternoon.
meticulousadjective	Taking great care over small details so that work is accurate or complete.	The model required meticulous measurements before any wood was cut.
notoriousadjective	Widely known for some bad quality or deed.	The pirate was notorious for his cruelty toward captured sailors.
obsoleteadjective	No longer in use or produced because something newer and better has replaced it.	The company stopped making the printer because the technology had become obsolete.
pragmaticadjective	Focused on what will work in the actual situation.	With rain approaching, we took the pragmatic step of moving the tables indoors.
quaintadjective	Attractively unusual or old-fashioned, especially in a charming, picturesque way.	The travelers admired the quaint cobblestone streets of the small mountain village.
reluctantadjective	Unwilling or hesitant to do something.	I was reluctant to leave before the repairs were finished.
scarceadjective	Not easily available or found in sufficient amounts; in short supply.	Fresh water became scarce across the region during the long summer drought.
tediousadjective	Long, slow, and monotonous in a way that causes boredom or fatigue.	Filling out the same form for every client became a tedious part of the job.
ubiquitousadjective	Found in so many places that it seems to be everywhere.	Bright yellow umbrellas were ubiquitous along the rainy shopping street.
vividadjective	Producing strong, clear images in the mind; strikingly bright, intense, or detailed.	She gave a vivid description of the sunset that made everyone want to see it.
waryadjective	Feeling or showing caution about possible dangers, risks, or problems.	He remained wary of strangers after the incident in the city.
zealousadjective	Showing great energy and enthusiasm in pursuing a cause, goal, or belief.	The zealous volunteers spent every weekend cleaning up the local river.
ambiguousadjective	Open to more than one reasonable interpretation.	The ambiguous instruction left us unsure which door to use.
brittleadjective	Hard but easily broken or snapped, lacking flexibility, or, figuratively, easily upset or emotionally fragile.	The old plastic had grown brittle over the years and cracked at the slightest pressure.
cordialadjective	Warm, friendly, and sincere in manner, especially in a formal or polite setting.	The two rival executives kept a cordial relationship despite years of business competition.
deceiveverb	To cause someone to believe something that is not true, usually in order to gain an advantage.	He deceived investors by hiding the company's massive financial losses.
eludeverb	To skillfully escape or avoid someone or something, such as capture or understanding.	The suspect eluded police for nearly three days before being caught.
fickleadjective	Changing frequently in loyalty, opinion, or affection, without good reason.	The fickle crowd cheered for whichever team happened to be winning.

Tips for matching words with definitions

Matching a word to its correct definition gets easier when you look for context clues within the definition itself, such as a part of speech or an example situation. Start with words you already recognize, then use process of elimination on the rest. Reading each definition fully before choosing helps avoid picking a close but incorrect match, especially among words with subtle differences in meaning.

Frequently asked questions

How can I match a vocabulary word with the correct definition?

Read all the definitions first, pair the words you are sure about, then use elimination to work out the remaining matches.