36 words the Digital SAT draws on when a passage turns to wealth and poverty — each with its part of speech, a plain-English definition, and an example sentence showing how it behaves in context.
Vocabulary on the Digital SAT is tested in context, not in isolation: a Words in Context question hands you a sentence with a blank and four plausible-looking candidates, and the winner is the one whose shade of meaning fits. Studying words in a meaning-group like this one is the fastest way to build that discrimination — you learn wealth and poverty as a spectrum rather than as 36 unrelated definitions.
Read the definition, then the example sentence. Say the word aloud. Come back to this theme a few days later and cover the definitions — recalling a word cold is what fixes it, and rereading it is not.
The 36 words
Alphabetical. Everything in the Wealth & Poverty guide.
001
affluentadjective
having a great deal of money; wealthy
The affluent neighborhood featured large homes.
002
beneficiarynoun
a person who receives benefits or advantages
She was named as the primary beneficiary in her grandfather's will.
003
borrowverb
to take and use something with the intention of returning it
May I borrow your pen for a moment?
004
borrowsverb
takes and uses something with the intention of returning it
He often borrows books from the library instead of buying them.
005
charitableadjective
generous in giving to those in need
The charitable foundation helped thousands.
006
commercializationnoun
the process of managing something for financial gain
The commercialization of the holiday has diminished its original meaning.
007
costlyadjective
expensive; causing significant loss or damage
The costly renovation exceeded the original budget.
008
destituteadjective
without the basic necessities of life
The destitute refugees needed immediate help.
009
expensiveadjective
costing a lot of money; high in price
The repairs turned out to be more expensive than we had anticipated.
010
extravagantadjective
lacking restraint in spending; excessive
The extravagant wedding cost a fortune.
011
forfeiturenoun
the loss or giving up of something as a penalty
Violation of the contract will result in forfeiture of the deposit.
012
frugaladjective
sparing or economical with money
Her frugal habits allowed her to save money.
013
generousadjective
showing a readiness to give more
Her generous donation helped many.
014
impoverishedadjective
made poor; reduced to poverty
War left the country impoverished.
015
indigentadjective
poor; needy
The charity helped indigent families.
016
inexpensiveadjective
not costing a lot of money; affordable
The restaurant serves delicious and inexpensive meals.
017
lavishadjective
sumptuously rich or elaborate
They hosted a lavish party for their anniversary.
018
lucrativeadjective
producing a great deal of profit; financially rewarding
The tech industry offers many lucrative career opportunities.
019
luxuriousadjective
extremely comfortable and elegant
They stayed in a luxurious hotel suite.
020
miserlyadjective
characterized by a lack of generosity
The miserly boss never gave raises.
021
monetizingverb
converting something into a source of income or profit
Many bloggers are monetizing their content through advertisements and sponsorships.
022
munificentadjective
more generous than is usual or necessary
The munificent grant funded the research.
023
opulentadjective
ostentatiously rich and luxurious
The opulent mansion featured marble floors throughout.
024
parsimoniousadjective
very unwilling to spend money
The parsimonious landlord refused repairs.
025
penuriousadjective
extremely poor; poverty-stricken
The penurious artist struggled to pay rent.
026
possessionnoun
the state of having or owning something
The antique clock was her most treasured possession.
027
possessionsnoun
things that one owns; belongings
She packed all her possessions into a single suitcase.
028
pricedverb
assigned a price to something; valued at a certain amount
The house was priced well above the market average.
029
prodigaladjective
spending money recklessly or wastefully
The prodigal heir squandered the family fortune.
030
prosperousadjective
successful in material terms; flourishing
The prosperous merchant expanded his business.
031
spartanadjective
showing indifference to comfort
The spartan room contained only a bed.
032
squanderverb
to waste recklessly
He squandered his inheritance on frivolous purchases.
Test Ninjas puts these words back where you will meet them — full-length adaptive practice tests, a complete Reading & Writing course, and an explanation on every question. Free account, no card.
