ephemeral adjective Lasting for only a short time. The ephemeral rainbow faded before I could find my camera. + ubiquitous adjective Found in so many places that it seems to be everywhere. Bright yellow umbrellas were ubiquitous along the rainy shopping street. + cacophony noun A harsh, jarring mixture of loud, discordant sounds. The cacophony of car horns and shouting filled the crowded intersection. + serendipity noun Good fortune in finding something useful or pleasing when you were not looking for it. By serendipity, the book I opened for its illustrations contained the answer to my question. + mellifluous adjective Sweet-sounding and pleasant to hear, especially describing a voice or piece of music. The narrator's mellifluous voice made even the phone directory sound soothing. + pernicious adjective Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or not immediately obvious way. The pernicious rumor slowly damaged her reputation long before anyone traced its source. + quintessential adjective Representing the most perfect or typical example of a particular quality or type of thing. With its rolling hills and thatched cottages, the village felt like the quintessential English countryside. + ostentatious adjective Designed to impress others by showing off wealth, knowledge, or possessions in an obvious way. The couple's ostentatious mansion had gold fixtures in nearly every room. + magnanimous adjective Generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival or someone less powerful. The winning coach was magnanimous in victory, praising the losing team's effort. + effervescent adjective Bubbling with gas, or, describing a person, lively, enthusiastic, and full of energy. The effervescent soda fizzed loudly the moment she opened the bottle. + indefatigable adjective Never tiring or giving up, even after long or difficult effort. The indefatigable volunteers worked through the night to rebuild the flooded homes. + perspicacious adjective Having a ready insight into and understanding of things; keenly perceptive or shrewd in judgment. The perspicacious detective noticed the small inconsistency that everyone else had missed. + sagacious adjective Showing keen judgment and wisdom, especially in practical matters. The sagacious old merchant always seemed to know which deals would pay off. + surreptitious adjective Done secretly or quietly to avoid being noticed, often because the action is not allowed. He took a surreptitious glance at his phone during the meeting. + ameliorate verb To make a harmful or difficult situation better. The extra bus service should ameliorate crowding during the morning rush. + obfuscate verb To make something unclear, confusing, or difficult to understand, often deliberately. The spokesperson seemed to obfuscate the real reason behind the company's sudden layoffs. + cogent adjective Clear, logical, and convincing, especially in argument or reasoning. She presented a cogent argument that persuaded even the skeptical board members. + eloquent adjective Expressing ideas or feelings clearly, gracefully, and powerfully. Her eloquent speech helped the audience understand why the park mattered. + esoteric adjective Intended for or understood by only a small group of people with specialized knowledge or interest. The lecture covered such esoteric topics that most of the audience felt lost. + garrulous adjective Excessively talkative, especially about unimportant things. The garrulous passenger talked nonstop throughout the entire six-hour flight. + gregarious adjective Enjoying the company of other people. Our gregarious host introduced every guest to someone new. + idiosyncratic adjective Peculiar or distinctive to a particular person, showing an unusual individual style or habit. The chef's idiosyncratic method of plating food made every dish instantly recognizable. + laconic adjective Using very few words to express something, especially in a way that seems terse or blunt. His laconic reply, 'maybe,' left us unsure whether he would attend. + nebulous adjective Vague, unclear, or lacking a definite form or shape. Her plans for the future remained nebulous even after months of discussion. + precocious adjective Showing mature abilities or understanding at an unusually early age. The precocious child was reading novels well before she started elementary school. + resilient adjective Able to recover or adjust after difficulty, pressure, or change. The resilient team regrouped after its first attempt failed. + taciturn adjective Habitually saying very little and reluctant to speak or join in conversation. The taciturn farmer answered every question with a single nod or a short grunt. + vindicate verb To show that someone or something was right, justified, or unfairly blamed. The recovered records vindicated the employee who reported the error. + altruistic adjective Showing selfless concern for the well-being of others, often at some cost to oneself. Her altruistic decision to donate a kidney to a stranger surprised even her closest friends. + benevolent adjective Showing kindness and a desire to help others. A benevolent neighbor quietly paid for the damaged fence. +