This list includes 97 SAT words that start with E, from “eager” to “exult”. They range from common adjectives to challenging verbs and nouns useful in reading passages and essays.
SAT words that start with E are high-value vocabulary items starting with E and useful on the exam. Many—like “eager” and “exult”—express emotion or judgment common in SAT reading and writing.
Below you’ll find the table with Word, Difficulty, Definition, and Example.
Word: The vocabulary term itself; you use it to study spelling, pronunciation, and quick recognition in context.
Difficulty: A concise easy/medium/hard tag showing relative challenge so you can prioritize study time effectively.
Definition: A one-line dictionary-style meaning that shows how the word functions so you grasp its core sense quickly.
Example: A single clear sentence demonstrating typical usage so you can see tone, collocation, and context.
SAT words that start with E
| Word | Part of speech | Difficulty | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|
| eager | adj. | easy | Having a strong desire; enthusiastic |
| earnest | adj. | easy | Serious and sincere in intention |
| ebullient | adj. | hard | Overflowing with enthusiasm or lively energy |
| eclectic | adj. | medium | Selecting from various sources or styles |
| economical | adj. | easy | Using resources carefully; not wasteful |
| economy | n. | easy | System of production and trade in a region |
| edify | v. | medium | To instruct or improve morally or intellectually |
| eloquent | adj. | medium | Fluent and persuasive in speaking or writing |
| elicit | v. | medium | To draw out or evoke a response |
| elucidate | v. | medium | To make something clear; explain |
| elude | v. | medium | To escape capture or understanding |
| elated | adj. | easy | Extremely happy or joyful |
| emanate | v. | medium | To come forth from a source |
| embolden | v. | medium | To give courage or confidence to someone |
| embellish | v. | medium | To decorate or add exaggerated detail |
| embezzle | v. | hard | To steal money entrusted to one’s care |
| eminent | adj. | medium | Famous and respected within a field |
| emerge | v. | easy | To come into view or become apparent |
| empathy | n. | medium | Understanding and sharing another’s feelings |
| empirical | adj. | medium | Based on observation or experiment rather than theory |
| emulate | v. | medium | To imitate with the aim of equaling or surpassing |
| enamored | adj. | medium | Filled with love or admiration |
| enervate | v. | hard | To weaken or drain of energy |
| enfranchise | v. | hard | To grant the right to vote or civic rights |
| engender | v. | medium | To cause or give rise to a feeling or situation |
| enhance | v. | easy | To improve or increase in value or quality |
| enigma | n. | medium | A puzzling or mysterious person or thing |
| enigmatic | adj. | medium | Mysterious or difficult to interpret |
| enmity | n. | medium | Deep-seated hostility or hatred |
| ennui | n. | hard | A feeling of listless boredom and dissatisfaction |
| enthrall | v. | medium | To captivate or hold spellbound |
| entice | v. | medium | To attract or tempt by offering advantage |
| entity | n. | medium | Something that exists as a distinct unit |
| entreat | v. | hard | To ask earnestly or plead with urgency |
| enumerate | v. | medium | To list or number items one by one |
| enunciate | v. | medium | To pronounce words clearly and distinctly |
| ephemeral | adj. | hard | Lasting for a very short time |
| epithet | n. | medium | A descriptive word or phrase, often insulting |
| epitome | n. | medium | A perfect example or embodiment of something |
| equitable | adj. | medium | Fair and impartial in treatment or judgment |
| equivocal | adj. | hard | Open to multiple interpretations; ambiguous |
| eradicate | v. | medium | To destroy or eliminate completely |
| erratic | adj. | medium | Unpredictable and inconsistent in behavior |
| erroneous | adj. | medium | Incorrect or based on error |
| erudite | adj. | hard | Having or showing extensive learning |
| escalate | v. | medium | To increase rapidly in intensity or magnitude |
| eschew | v. | hard | To deliberately avoid or abstain from |
| esoteric | adj. | hard | Intended for or understood by a select few |
| essential | adj. | easy | Absolutely necessary or extremely important |
| esteem | v. | medium | To regard with respect and admiration |
| estrange | v. | hard | To alienate or cause someone to become distant |
| ethereal | adj. | hard | Extremely delicate and light; otherworldly |
| ethical | adj. | easy | Relating to moral principles of right and wrong |
| ethos | n. | medium | The guiding beliefs or spirit of a culture or community |
| euphemism | n. | medium | A mild expression substituted for a harsher one |
| euphoric | adj. | medium | Intensely happy or excited |
| evanescent | adj. | hard | Quickly fading or disappearing; fleeting |
| evenhanded | adj. | medium | Fair and impartial in treatment or judgment |
| evidence | n. | easy | Facts or information used to support a claim |
| evince | v. | hard | To show clearly; reveal or make evident |
| evocative | adj. | medium | Bringing strong images or feelings to mind |
| exacerbate | v. | hard | To make a problem or situation worse |
| exacting | adj. | medium | Demanding careful attention to detail |
| exalt | v. | medium | To praise highly or elevate in status |
| exasperate | v. | medium | To irritate intensely or provoke frustration |
| exemplary | adj. | medium | Serving as a desirable model or excellent example |
| exemplify | v. | medium | To illustrate or clarify by example |
| exempt | adj. | easy | Free from an obligation or requirement |
| exhilarating | adj. | medium | Invigorating and thrilling |
| exigent | adj. | hard | Requiring immediate attention; urgent |
| exonerate | v. | medium | To free from blame or accusation |
| exorbitant | adj. | medium | Unreasonably high in price or demand |
| expedient | adj. | medium | Convenient and practical though possibly improper |
| expedite | v. | medium | To speed up a process or action |
| expiate | v. | hard | To atone for wrongdoing or make amends |
| explicit | adj. | medium | Stated clearly and in detail; leaving no doubt |
| exploit | v. | medium | To take unfair advantage of someone or something |
| exponential | adj. | medium | Increasing rapidly by a multiplicative rate |
| exposition | n. | medium | Clear explanation or public show of an idea |
| expository | adj. | medium | Intended to explain or describe information clearly |
| expound | v. | medium | To explain in detail or present systematically |
| express | v. | easy | To convey thoughts or feelings in words |
| extant | adj. | hard | Still in existence; surviving from the past |
| extemporaneous | adj. | hard | Done without prior planning; impromptu |
| extenuate | v. | hard | To lessen the seriousness with partial excuses |
| extol | v. | medium | To praise enthusiastically and publicly |
| extraneous | adj. | medium | Irrelevant or unrelated to the subject at hand |
| extravagant | adj. | medium | Excessive or wastefully lavish |
| extraordinary | adj. | easy | Very unusual, remarkable, or exceptional |
| exuberant | adj. | medium | Full of lively energy and excitement |
| exult | v. | medium | To show or feel great joy or triumph |
| eulogize | v. | medium | To publicly praise someone, often at a funeral |
| eulogy | n. | medium | A speech praising someone who has died |
| efface | v. | medium | To erase or wipe out; remove traces of |
| efficacious | adj. | hard | Effective in producing the intended result |
| efficient | adj. | easy | Performing well with minimal waste of time or resources |
| effusive | adj. | medium | Expressing gratitude or praise openly and warmly |
Descriptions
eager
She was eager to begin the experiment. Common everyday adjective on practice tests.
earnest
An earnest student studies regularly; shows genuine commitment.
ebullient
His ebullient manner energized the room; useful for tone and attitude questions.
eclectic
Her eclectic music tastes span jazz to electronic.
economical
An economical car saves fuel; appears in comparative contexts.
economy
The nation’s economy recovered after reforms; common in reading passages.
edify
The teacher hoped the story would edify young readers.
eloquent
Her eloquent speech swayed many voters.
elicit
The question was meant to elicit thoughtful answers.
elucidate
The professor elucidated the complex theory with examples.
elude
A clear definition eluded the student despite examples.
elated
She felt elated after receiving the good news.
emanate
A faint odor emanated from the laboratory.
embolden
Praise emboldened her to speak up in class.
embellish
He embellished the tale to make it more exciting.
embezzle
The accountant was accused of embezzling funds.
eminent
An eminent scientist led the research team.
emerge
A pattern emerged after analyzing the data.
empathy
Her empathy helped the counselor connect with students.
empirical
Empirical evidence supported the researchers’ claim.
emulate
Young artists emulate masters to improve technique.
enamored
He was enamored of classic literature’s rhythms.
enervate
The oppressive heat enervated even the energetic runners.
enfranchise
Historical amendments enfranchised many previously excluded citizens.
engender
The policy engendered widespread public debate.
enhance
Good examples enhance an essay’s persuasiveness.
enigma
The coach’s strategy remained an enigma to opponents.
enigmatic
Her enigmatic smile left everyone guessing.
enmity
Centuries of enmity complicated the peace negotiations.
ennui
After months of isolation he suffered from ennui.
enthrall
The novel enthralled readers from the first chapter.
entice
Sales ads entice shoppers with limited-time offers.
entity
Each branch operates as an independent legal entity.
entreat
She entreated the committee for leniency in grading.
enumerate
The report enumerates the project’s major milestones.
enunciate
Speakers should enunciate to ensure audience comprehension.
ephemeral
The art installation was intentionally ephemeral and temporary.
epithet
He used an epithet that inflamed the argument.
epitome
She was the epitome of professionalism in that role.
equitable
An equitable division satisfied all parties involved.
equivocal
Her equivocal answer frustrated the interviewer seeking clarity.
eradicate
Public health campaigns aim to eradicate certain diseases.
erratic
His erratic performance raised concerns about reliability.
erroneous
The article contained several erroneous statistics.
erudite
The erudite critic referenced obscure classical texts.
escalate
A small dispute can escalate into a major conflict.
eschew
Writers often eschew clichés to remain original.
esoteric
The theory felt esoteric to casual readers.
essential
A thesis statement is essential to an effective essay.
esteem
She is esteemed by colleagues for her integrity.
estrange
Years of silence estranged the siblings from one another.
ethereal
The music had an ethereal, dreamlike quality.
ethical
Doctors must consider ethical implications of treatments.
ethos
The school’s ethos emphasized collaboration and curiosity.
euphemism
Passed away is a common euphemism for “died.”
euphoric
Fans were euphoric after the championship win.
evanescent
Morning mist is beautiful but evanescent.
evenhanded
A judge must remain evenhanded when presiding.
evidence
Cite evidence to back up your main points.
evince
Her answer evinced a deep understanding of the topic.
evocative
The photograph is evocative of her childhood summers.
exacerbate
Interruptions only exacerbated the team’s delays.
exacting
An exacting instructor expects flawless work.
exalt
Critics exalted the author’s latest novel.
exasperate
His constant interruptions exasperated classmates.
exemplary
Her conduct provided an exemplary model for peers.
exemplify
This case exemplifies the ethical dilemma in medicine.
exempt
Students with prior credit are exempt from the course.
exhilarating
The roller coaster ride was exhilarating and memorable.
exigent
Exigent circumstances demanded a prompt government response.
exonerate
New evidence exonerated the defendant after review.
exorbitant
The landlord charged an exorbitant monthly rent.
expedient
They chose an expedient route to avoid delays.
expedite
We expedited the shipment to meet the deadline.
expiate
He sought to expiate his mistakes through community service.
explicit
Provide explicit instructions for the assignment.
exploit
Companies can exploit loopholes if regulations are weak.
exponential
The data showed exponential growth over five years.
exposition
The essay’s exposition clarified the author’s main claim.
expository
Expository essays focus on analysis and explanation.
expound
Please expound your main point in the conclusion.
express
She expressed her concerns during the meeting.
extant
Only a few extant copies of the manuscript remain.
extemporaneous
He gave an extemporaneous defense that impressed judges.
extenuate
Mitigating facts may extenuate the defendant’s actions.
extol
Reviewers extolled the filmmaker’s inventive approach.
extraneous
Remove extraneous details to tighten your argument.
extravagant
Her extravagant spending strained the family’s budget.
extraordinary
The discovery provided extraordinary insight into history.
exuberant
Children were exuberant at the park’s reopening.
exult
They exulted in the team’s unexpected victory.
eulogize
Friends eulogized the mentor for decades of guidance.
eulogy
She delivered a heartfelt eulogy at the memorial.
efface
Time effaced the carved inscription on the monument.
efficacious
The vaccine proved efficacious in reducing infections.
efficient
An efficient system reduces both time and cost.
effusive
She gave an effusive thank-you speech to volunteers.