A strong vocabulary is essential for scoring well in the CLAT English section. It helps you tackle questions on synonyms, antonyms, and word meanings, and plays a key role in understanding comprehension passages.
We are here to guide you through the most important vocabulary words for CLAT, their meanings, and how to use them in sentences. We’ll also share effective tips for building and retaining a rich vocabulary for CLAT.
With regular practice and the right approach, mastering English vocabulary for CLAT can boost your performance and give you a competitive edge in the exam.
Upcoming CLAT Exams:
Important Vocabulary for CLAT 2025
Following are the most important CLAT vocabulary words with meaning and usage in sentence:
CLAT Vocabulary Words Starting With ‘A’
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| Abeyance | Temporary suspension | The project was put in abeyance due to budget cuts. |
| Abject | Miserable | He lived in abject poverty all his life. |
| Abrade | Wear away | The rough surface began to abrade the soles of his shoes. |
| Abstruse | Hidden or difficult to understand | The professor’s explanation was so abstruse that most students couldn’t follow. |
| Aberration | Deviation from the norm | His sudden outburst was an aberration from his usual calm demeanor. |
| Apposite | Relevant | Her comments were highly apposite to the discussion. |
| Assiduous | Persistent, diligent | Her assiduous efforts earned her a well-deserved promotion. |
CLAT Vocabulary Words Starting With ‘B’
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| Behoof | Benefit | This decision was taken for the behoof of the community. |
| Beseech | To beg or pray | I beseech you to help me in this time of need. |
| Bigot | Stubbornly prejudiced person | He was called a bigot because of his refusal to accept differing opinions. |
| Bountiful | Generous, abundant | The harvest was bountiful this year, with plenty of crops for everyone. |
| Bias | Prejudice | The judge was accused of showing bias during the trial. |
Free CLAT Study Material for You:
| CLAT Previous Year Papers PDF | CLAT Sample Papers |
| CLAT Syllabus PDF | Free CLAT Coaching |
| CLAT Current Affairs | CLAT Topper Interviews |
| CLAT Videos | CLAT Mock Tests |
CLAT Vocabulary Words Starting with ‘C’
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| Callous | Insensitive, unfeeling | His callous remarks hurt everyone in the room. |
| Cavil | To complain or find fault unnecessarily | She tends to cavil over the smallest of issues. |
| Charlatan | A fraud or imposter | The man was exposed as a charlatan who had faked his credentials. |
| Cynosure | Center of attention | The beautiful actress was the cynosure of all eyes at the event. |
| Colloquial | Conversational or informal language | His speech was filled with colloquial expressions. |
CLAT Vocabulary Words Starting with ‘D’
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| Debility | Physical weakness | The flu left him in a state of debility for weeks. |
| Decry | To criticize openly | Many activists decry the lack of action on climate change. |
| Detest | To hate or abhor | She absolutely detests dishonesty. |
| Diffidence | Shyness or lack of confidence | His diffidence was evident when he hesitated to speak in front of the class. |
CLAT Vocabulary Words Starting with ‘E’
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| Ebb | Decline or decay | His energy began to ebb as the day wore on. |
| Elucidate | To make clear or explain | The teacher tried to elucidate the difficult concept. |
| Egregious | Outstandingly bad | The referee made an egregious mistake that cost the team the game. |
| Enigmatic | Perplexing or mysterious | The Mona Lisa’s smile is often described as enigmatic. |
Checkout: How to Prepare for CLAT English?
CLAT Vocabulary Words Starting with ‘F’
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| Forsake | To abandon | He decided to forsake his old habits for a healthier lifestyle. |
| Fervid | Intensely enthusiastic or passionate | The politician’s speech was met with fervid applause. |
| Fatigue | Extreme tiredness | After working all day, he was overcome with fatigue. |
| Fudge | To falsify or avoid the truth | He tried to fudge the numbers to make the report look better. |
CLAT Vocabulary Words Starting with ‘G’
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| Gregarious | Enjoying the company of others | He was a gregarious person who loved socializing. |
| Grandeur | Splendor or magnificence | The palace was known for its grandeur and beauty. |
| Gullible | Easily fooled or credulous | The gullible tourist fell for every scam in the market. |
| Gigantic | Enormous | The gigantic statue towered over the park. |
CLAT Vocabulary Words Starting with ‘H’
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| Horrendous | Dreadful, terrifying | The car accident was a horrendous sight. |
| Huff | To treat with arrogance | He stormed off in a huff after losing the argument. |
| Haven | A safe place | The library was her haven during exams. |
CLAT Vocabulary Words Starting with ‘I’
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| Idiosyncrasy | Peculiarity or eccentricity | His habit of whistling while working was just one of his many idiosyncrasies. |
| Imperiousness | Arrogance or overbearing manner | Her imperiousness made her unpopular among her colleagues. |
| Impeccable | Flawless or perfect | Her impeccable sense of style was admired by everyone. |
CLAT Vocabulary Words Starting with ‘J’
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| Jovial | Cheerful and friendly | He had a jovial personality that made him well-liked. |
| Jargon | Specialized language used by a group | The report was filled with medical jargon that was hard to understand. |
CLAT Vocabulary Words Starting with ‘K’
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| Knave | A dishonest person | The politician was revealed to be a knave who had misled the public. |
| Knotty | Puzzling or complex | The legal case was so knotty that even the lawyers were confused. |
Read about: Reading Comprehension for CLAT
CLAT Vocabulary Words Starting with ‘L’
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| Lax | Loose or not strict | The teacher was lax in enforcing the classroom rules. |
| Latitude | Freedom of action or thought | He was given wide latitude in handling the project. |
| Ligature | A bandage or tie | The surgeon applied a ligature to stop the bleeding. |
CLAT Vocabulary Words Starting with ‘M’
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| Mettlesome | Courageous and spirited | The mettlesome soldier led the charge in battle. |
| Mortify | To humiliate or shame | She was mortified when she realized she had spoken out of turn. |
CLAT Vocabulary Words Starting with ‘N’
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| Nimble | Agile and quick | The gymnast’s movements were as nimble as a cat’s. |
| Nullify | To make void or cancel | The contract was nullified after both parties failed to agree on the terms. |
| Nuptial | Relating to marriage | The couple was busy preparing for their nuptial ceremony |
CLAT Vocabulary Words Starting with ‘O’
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| Oligarchy | A small group controlling a country | The nation was ruled by an oligarchy of wealthy businessmen. |
| Obfuscate | To confuse or make unclear | The lawyer’s aim was to obfuscate the truth with technical language. |
| Onus | A burden or responsibility | The onus of proving the theory now rested with the new research team. |
CLAT Vocabulary Words Starting with ‘P’
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| Pacify | To calm or bring peace | The mother tried to pacify the crying baby with a toy. |
| Puerility | Childishness | His puerility made it difficult for him to be taken seriously at work. |
| Panegyric | Formal praise or eulogy | The retiring professor received a heartfelt panegyric from his colleagues. |
CLAT Vocabulary Words Starting with ‘Q’
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| Query | A question | She raised a query about the deadline for the assignment. |
| Quibble | To argue or raise objections over minor matters | Instead of addressing the issue, they began to quibble over trivial details. |
CLAT Vocabulary Words Starting with ‘R’
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| Radical | Extreme | His radical ideas were not accepted by the mainstream. |
| Riparian | Relating to riverbanks | The riparian vegetation played an important role in the local ecosystem. |
Important Resources After CLAT Exam:
CLAT Vocabulary Words Starting with ‘S’
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| Stupendous | Extremely impressive or colossal | The athletes’ performance was nothing short of stupendous. |
| Swathe | To wrap or bind | The nurse carefully swathed the wound with a clean bandage. |
| Sporadic | Occasional or irregular | The town experienced sporadic power outages during the storm. |
CLAT Vocabulary Words Starting with ‘T’
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| Temerity | Boldness or brashness | He had the temerity to challenge the professor’s argument during the lecture. |
| Tedious | Tiresome or boring | The task of sorting through old files was tedious, but it had to be done. |
| Terse | Brief and to the point | His terse reply indicated that he was not interested in continuing the conversation. |
| Trite | Overused or commonplace | The speech was full of trite phrases that failed to inspire the audience. |
CLAT Vocabulary Words Starting with ‘U’
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| Undulation | A wavelike motion | The undulation of the sea was calming to watch. |
| Urbane | Polished or polite in manner | His urbane demeanor made him a popular guest at social events. |
CLAT Vocabulary Words Starting with ‘V’
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| Verbose | Wordy or talkative | His verbose explanation confused more than it clarified. |
| Vaunt | To boast or brag | She never missed an opportunity to vaunt her academic achievements. |
| Vituperation | Harsh or abusive language | The debate quickly devolved into vituperation, with both sides hurling insults at each other. |
CLAT Vocabulary Words Starting with ‘W’
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| Wry | Twisted or dryly humorous | He gave a wry smile when asked if he was excited about the new changes at work. |
CLAT Vocabulary Words Starting with ‘Z’
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| Zany | Silly or amusingly unconventional | The comedian’s zany antics had the audience in stitches. |
| Zythum | An ancient form of beer or beverage | The historian gave a detailed lecture on zythum, a drink popular in ancient Egypt. |
Download CLAT Vocabulary PDF
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Importance of English Vocabulary for CLAT
Following are the key reasons why vocabulary for CLAT exam is important:
- Key Component of the English Section: Vocabulary-based questions, such as synonyms, antonyms, and word meanings, are directly tested in the CLAT English Language section.
- Improves Reading Comprehension: A strong vocabulary for CLAT helps you better understand complex words and phrases in comprehension passages, leading to more accurate answers.
- Boosts Accuracy in Grammar and Error Spotting: Understanding the correct usage of words improves your ability to spot grammatical errors and sentence correction questions.
- Saves Time During the Exam: Familiarity with a wide range of English vocabulary words allows you to quickly interpret and answer questions, saving valuable time.
- Enhances Critical Thinking: Knowing the meanings of important words helps you infer meanings, draw conclusions, and answer inference-based questions more effectively.
- Improves Overall Communication Skills: Strong vocabulary skills not only help in CLAT but also improve your ability to articulate ideas clearly in writing and speaking.
- Helps in Other CLAT Sections: Vocabulary for CLAT is also useful in Legal Reasoning and Logical Reasoning, where understanding key terms and phrases is critical for answering questions correctly.
Must Know for Every CLAT Aspirant:
| CLAT Eligibility Criteria | CLAT Exam Pattern |
| CLAT Age Limit | CLAT Marking Scheme |
| How to Prepare for CLAT? | CLAT Preparation Books |
How to Improve Vocabulary for CLAT 2025?
Building vocabulary is a crucial part of your CLAT preparation. Below is how you can effectively build and enhance your vocabulary for this law entrance exam:
1. Read Regularly
Reading is one of the best ways to encounter new words. Include a variety of reading material in your daily routine, such as:
- Newspapers (The Hindu, The Indian Express).
- Magazines and articles from reliable sources.
- Fiction and non-fiction books.
As you read, underline or note unfamiliar words, then look up their meanings. This helps you naturally absorb new words in context, making it easier to remember them.
2. Create a Vocabulary Journal
- Keep a dedicated notebook or digital document to record new words you encounter during your reading or study sessions.
- Write down the word, its meaning, part of speech, and an example sentence. Revisiting this journal regularly will help reinforce the words in your memory.
- You can also organize the journal into categories such as synonyms, antonyms, or words frequently seen in competitive exams.
3. Use Flashcards
Flashcards are a great tool for quick revision. You can create physical flashcards or use apps like AnkiDroid Flashcards or Quizlet to review words on the go.
On one side of the flashcard, write the word, and on the other side, write the meaning, usage, and example sentence. Go through these cards daily to retain the words you’ve learned.
4. Practice with Vocabulary Apps
There are several apps designed to help improve vocabulary. Some of the most popular and effective ones for CLAT aspirants include:
- Vocabulary.com: Provides personalized learning through quizzes and word lists.
- WordUp: Focuses on helping you learn vocabulary through real-world usage, using examples from books, movies, and news.
5. Use Word Roots to Expand Vocabulary
Learning the roots of words (prefixes, suffixes, and root words) can help you guess the meanings of unfamiliar words.
For example, the root “bene” means “good” or “well,” which can help you understand the meanings of words like benevolent or benefit.
By learning common roots, you’ll be able to understand many more words without memorizing each one individually.
6. Solve Synonyms and Antonyms Exercises
Synonyms and antonyms are asked in the CLAT English Grammar. Practice exercises focusing on these areas can help you solidify your understanding of word meanings.
Regularly take vocabulary quizzes or exercises that focus on word relations, which will improve your ability to quickly identify the correct word in exams.
7. Use Words in Daily Conversations and Writing
Actively using new words in your daily conversations or writing is one of the most effective ways to retain them. Try to incorporate learned words into essays, emails, or even casual conversations to reinforce your memory.
When you use a word in context, it becomes easier to remember, especially in a high-pressure exam situation.
8. Practice with Previous Year Question Papers
Going through previous year CLAT papers can help you identify the type of vocabulary questions that are typically asked. Practice solving these questions to familiarize yourself with the format and difficulty level.
9. Spaced Repetition for Retention
Spaced repetition is a scientifically proven technique to improve retention. Review words at spaced intervals—daily, weekly, and monthly.
More Techniques to Build Vocabulary for CLAT Exam
- Engage in Group Discussions: Participating in group discussions or study groups where new vocabulary words are shared can help reinforce your learning.
- Use Mnemonics for Tricky Words: For difficult words, create mnemonics—memory aids that help you recall meanings.
- Watch English Movies or TV Shows with Subtitles: Watching English-language movies or TV shows with subtitles can expose you to real-world usage of vocabulary. Pay attention to how words are used in dialogues, especially those that are formal or conversational.
- Listen to English Podcasts or Audiobooks: Listening to podcasts or audiobooks in English can introduce you to new vocabulary in a different format. Choose podcasts that are engaging and educational, focusing on a wide range of topics, which will expose you to diverse vocabulary.
Free Previous Year Papers of CLAT
| CLAT 2024 Question Paper | CLAT 2023 Question Paper |
| CLAT 2020 Question Paper | CLAT 2021 Question Paper |
| CLAT 2019 Question Paper | View All (Past 17 Years) |
Practice Exercises to Improve Vocabulary for CLAT 2025
Below are a few practice exercises for vocabulary improvement for CLAT aspirants:
Fill-in-the-Blanks
Choose the correct word from the options to complete the sentence.
Q1: The politician’s speech was filled with ______ promises that were unlikely to be fulfilled.
A) Pragmatic
B) Pessimistic
C) Lofty
D) Humble
Answer: C) Lofty
Q2: Despite his physical ______, he managed to complete the marathon.
A) Debility
B) Strength
C) Vigour
D) Dexterity
Answer: A) Debility
Q3: The scientist worked tirelessly to ______ the mystery surrounding the new discovery.
A) Complicate
B) Obfuscate
C) Elucidate
D) Suppress
Answer: C) Elucidate
Q4: The company decided to ______ the outdated rules and implement new ones.
A) Nullify
B) Create
C) Enhance
D) Amplify
Answer: A) Nullify
Synonym Practice
Choose the synonym for the given word.
Q1: Callous
A) Compassionate
B) Cruel
C) Empathetic
D) Sensitive
Answer: B) Cruel
Q2: Gullible
A) Suspicious
B) Credulous
C) Skeptical
D) Doubtful
Answer: B) Credulous
Q3: Tedious
A) Engaging
B) Tiresome
C) Exciting
D) Stimulating
Answer: B) Tiresome
Contextual Usage
Choose the correct word based on the context of the sentence.
Q1: The soldiers remained ______ in the face of adversity, never wavering from their mission.
A) Wry
B) Callous
C) Obstinate
D) Resolute
Answer: D) Resolute
Q2: She was known for her ______ behavior, always cracking jokes and making people laugh.
A) Zany
B) Diffident
C) Enigmatic
D) Somber
Answer: A) Zany
Q3: His ______ approach to the problem led to a creative solution that no one else had considered.
A) Pragmatic
B) Radical
C) Puerile
D) Cynical
Answer: B) Radical
Q4: The crowd gathered to listen to the ______ speaker, whose words were filled with wisdom and grace.
A) Judicious
B) Cynical
C) Pessimistic
D) Obfuscating
Answer: A) Judicious
Best Books for CLAT Vocabulary
Below is the list of the best books for CLAT vocabulary:
1. Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
This book is a classic for building vocabulary systematically. It offers clear explanations, practical exercises, and helps learners understand word roots and usage effectively.
2. 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary by Wilfred Funk and Norman Lewis
This book provides a daily learning structure for building a strong vocabulary within a month. It covers essential words, their meanings, and tips to use them in everyday language.
3. High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren & Martin
Although primarily a grammar book, it includes sections on vocabulary, sentence structure, and the correct usage of words, which are helpful for both grammar and vocabulary development.
Important CLAT Questions for Practice:
| CLAT Legal Reasoning Questions | CLAT Logical Reasoning Questions |
| CLAT English Questions | CLAT GK Questions |
FAQs About Vocabulary for CLAT
There are no fixed vocabulary questions, but vocabulary plays an important role in reading comprehension, synonyms/antonyms, and error spotting.
The English Language section primarily requires a strong vocabulary, but it also helps in comprehension in other sections like Legal Reasoning.
Yes, a strong vocabulary helps you understand complex passages, improving your performance in reading comprehension.
Yes, learning word roots helps you understand the meanings of unfamiliar words and builds a stronger vocabulary base.
Aim to learn 5-10 new words daily to build a robust vocabulary over time.
Newspapers expose you to a variety of new words in context, helping you learn their meaning and usage in real-life situations.
Yes, understanding basic legal terms is helpful for the CLAT exam, especially in Legal Reasoning and General Knowledge sections.
Law Colleges Information Related to CLAT: