The English section, particularly Vocabulary, is often the hidden hurdle in competitive exams like SBI PO, IBPS Clerk, and SSC CGL. A strong vocabulary doesn’t just help you score well in dedicated questions like antonyms/synonyms; it dramatically improves your comprehension of Reading Comprehension passages and helps you in Error Spotting. Go through these Vocabulary Words for Banking Exam with Meaning and improve your vocab.
We’ve handpicked 10 High-Frequency English Words that are crucial for bank and government exams. Vocabulary is power, it allows you to understand precisely what the examiner is asking. This guide presents the 10 most important, high-frequency words you must know, according to the Bank PO Syllabus. We won’t just list them; we’ll show you how they are used in various contexts, which is the true test of vocabulary in the exam. By the end, you’ll have 10 powerful words in your arsenal and a quick quiz to cement your learning.
Building your essential vocabulary for bank exams requires learning words in context, not just rote memorization. Pay close attention to the different example contexts provided for each word.
Vocabulary List
| Word No. | Word | Meaning / Synonyms / Antonyms |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deleterious | Causing harm or damage. Synonyms: Detrimental, Pernicious, Injurious Antonyms: Beneficial, Salutary, Harmless |
| 2 | Epitome | A perfect or typical example of a particular quality or class. Synonyms: Embodiment, Paradigm, Archetype Antonyms: Anomaly, Exception, Imperfection |
| 3 | Frugal | Sparing or economical with regard to money or food; simple and plain. Synonyms: Thrifty, Prudent, Provident Antonyms: Extravagant, Lavish, Wasteful |
| 4 | Ubiquitous | Present, appearing, or found everywhere. Synonyms: Omnipresent, Pervasive, Universal Antonyms: Rare, Scarce, Nonexistent |
| 5 | Capricious | Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behaviour. Synonyms: Whimsical, Fickle, Erratic Antonyms: Stable, Consistent, Dependable |
| 6 | Proclivity | A tendency to choose or do something regularly; an inclination or predisposition. Synonyms: Bent, Propensity, Predilection Antonyms: Aversion, Disinclination, Antipathy |
| 7 | Trivial | Of little value or importance. Synonyms: Minor, Insignificant, Negligible Antonyms: Crucial, Vital, Consequential |
| 8 | Acquiesce | Accept something reluctantly but without protest. Synonyms: Concede, Assent, Comply Antonyms: Resist, Object, Dissent |
| 9 | Ameliorate | To make (something bad or unsatisfactory) better. Synonyms: Improve, Enhance, Mitigate Antonyms: Worsen, Exacerbate, Aggravate |
| 10 | Conundrum | A confusing and difficult problem or question. Synonyms: Enigma, Puzzle, Quandary Antonyms: Solution, Answer, Key |
Contextual Usage: Vocabulary Words for Banking Exam with Meaning
Understanding the multiple ways a word can be used is key to cracking Cloze Tests and Sentence Completion questions.
1. Deleterious
- Context 1 (Health): The deleterious effects of excessive sugar consumption on long-term health are well-documented.
- Context 2 (Finance): The central bank warned against the deleterious impact of high inflation on savings.
2. Epitome
- Context 1 (Abstract Quality): Her calm reaction in the crisis was the epitome of professionalism.
- Context 2 (Example of a Class): The Taj Mahal is often considered the epitome of Mughal architecture.
3. Frugal
- Context 1 (Money Management): Despite earning a good salary, she leads a very frugal lifestyle, saving a large part of her income.
- Context 2 (Simple Living): They served a simple, frugal meal, but it was delicious and satisfying.
4. Ubiquitous
- Context 1 (Technology): Mobile phones are now ubiquitous in India, even in rural areas.
- Context 2 (Phenomenon): The ubiquitous presence of plastic waste is a major environmental concern.
5. Capricious
- Context 1 (Behavior): Investors were worried about the CEO’s capricious decision-making style.
- Context 2 (Weather): The weather in the mountains can be quite capricious, changing from sunny to stormy in minutes.
6. Proclivity
- Context 1 (Habit/Tendency): He has a proclivity for procrastination, which affects his exam preparation.
- Context 2 (Natural Inclination): A good journalist has a proclivity for questioning authority and seeking the truth.
7. Trivial
- Context 1 (Importance): Don’t waste your precious study time focusing on trivial details; concentrate on the core syllabus.
- Context 2 (Problem): The argument started over a purely trivial matter, but quickly escalated.
8. Acquiesce
- Context 1 (Reluctant Agreement): The management decided to acquiesce to the workers’ demands to avoid a strike.
- Context 2 (Compliance): He was forced to acquiesce to the new security protocols despite his personal objections.
9. Ameliorate
- Context 1 (Improvement): The new education policy aims to ameliorate the conditions of government schools.
- Context 2 (Relief): The doctor gave him medicine to ameliorate the pain until surgery could be performed.
10. Conundrum
- Context 1 (Problem): The need for economic growth versus environmental protection presents a global conundrum.
- Context 2 (Puzzle): The detective faced a perplexing conundrum when all the witnesses gave conflicting statements.
5. Quiz Time! Test Your Vocabulary Power
It’s time to test your immediate retention of this essential vocabulary for bank exams! Choose the best word to complete the following sentences.
- The committee decided to _______ the strict attendance rule for students with medical emergencies.
- Capricious
- Ameliorate
- Deleterious
- Epitome
- His inability to manage money stems from a lifelong _______ for impulsive spending.
- Conundrum
- Frugal
- Proclivity
- Trivial
- The company’s failure to invest in R&D proved _______ to its long-term growth.
- Acquiesce
- Ubiquitous
- Deleterious
- Epitome
- Despite strong opposition, the defeated candidate chose to _______ to the results and congratulate the winner.
- Frugal
- Acquiesce
- Capricious
- Ameliorate
- Determining how to grow the economy while reducing pollution remains a significant _______.
- Proclivity
- Conundrum
- Trivial
- Ubiquitous
| Question | Correct Answer | Word |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | (B) Ameliorate | To make better/improve |
| 2 | (C) Proclivity | A tendency/inclination |
| 3 | (C) Deleterious | Causing harm/damage |
| 4 | (B) Acquiesce | Accept without protest |
| 5 | (B) Conundrum | A difficult problem |
6. Conclusion & Motivation
You’ve successfully mastered 10 powerful words today! Remember, building vocabulary is a marathon, not a sprint. Each word you learn is a weapon in your arsenal, giving you a distinct edge in the English section. Consistency is the secret sauce. Make a pledge to yourself to review these 10 words tomorrow and learn 10 new words the day after.
Don’t let the English section be your Achilles’ heel. Start reading quality content, note down unfamiliar words, and use them in your daily conversations. This is how you transition from an aspirant to a topper.
Now, take the next step: Share this guide with a fellow aspirant, and leave a comment below with one new sentence you’ve created using one of these words! Let’s build a community of word-masters!