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11 Plus Vocabulary Words Starting With P

50 words with meanings, synonyms, antonyms & example sentences

These are the 50 vocabulary words starting with P from our free 565-word 11 plus vocabulary list, from paid to purpose including 7 advanced words of the kind that separates top verbal reasoning scores. Each entry shows the meaning, synonyms, antonyms and an example sentence — the exact skills tested in GL and CEM verbal reasoning, comprehension and cloze questions. You can also download the full list as a free PDF or practise these words with our free vocabulary games.

painstaking

/ˈpeɪnzteɪkɪŋ/adjective
Advanced

Done with great care and thoroughness; involving much careful effort and attention to detail

The restoration of the painting was a painstaking process that took years.

Synonyms: meticulous, careful, thorough, diligent

Antonyms: careless, hasty, sloppy

palaeontologist

/ˌpæliɒnˈtɒlədʒɪst/noun
Advanced

A scientist who studies fossils and prehistoric life forms to understand the history of life on Earth

The palaeontologist discovered a new species of dinosaur in the desert.

Synonyms: fossil expert, prehistoric scientist, fossil hunter

parallel

/ˈpærəlel/adjective/noun
Intermediate

Extending in the same direction and remaining the same distance apart; similar or corresponding in nature

The railway tracks run parallel to the main road.

Synonyms: similar, comparable, corresponding, equivalent

Antonyms: perpendicular, divergent, different

Parliament

/ˈpɑːləmənt/noun
Intermediate

The supreme legislative body of a country, especially the UK; a formal assembly for discussion

The bill was passed by Parliament after months of debate.

Synonyms: legislature, assembly, congress, government

passive

/ˈpæsɪv/adjective
Intermediate

Accepting what happens without active response or resistance; not participating actively

He took a passive role in the discussion, listening but rarely speaking.

Synonyms: inactive, submissive, unresisting, docile

Antonyms: active, assertive, aggressive

pasture

/ˈpɑːstʃə/noun/verb
Intermediate

Land covered with grass suitable for grazing animals; to put animals to graze in a field

The cows grazed peacefully in the green pasture.

Synonyms: meadow, field, grassland, grazing land

Antonyms: desert, barren land

peak

/piːk/noun/verb
Intermediate

The pointed top of a mountain; the highest point or level of something; to reach the maximum

The climbers reached the peak of the mountain at sunrise.

Synonyms: summit, top, pinnacle, apex

Antonyms: bottom, base, nadir

peculiar

/pɪˈkjuːliə/adjective
Intermediate

Strange or unusual; different from what is normal or expected; belonging uniquely to a person or place

There was a peculiar smell coming from the old cupboard.

Synonyms: strange, odd, unusual, curious

Antonyms: normal, ordinary, common

perceive

/pəˈsiːv/verb
Advanced

To become aware of something through the senses; to understand or interpret something in a particular way

She perceived a change in his attitude towards her.

Synonyms: sense, detect, notice, observe

Antonyms: miss, overlook, ignore

peril

/ˈperɪl/noun
Intermediate

Serious and immediate danger; exposure to the risk of harm or loss

The sailors faced great peril during the storm.

Synonyms: danger, risk, hazard, jeopardy

Antonyms: safety, security, protection

perilous

/ˈperɪləs/adjective
Intermediate

Full of danger or risk; extremely hazardous

The perilous mountain path was only for experienced climbers.

Synonyms: dangerous, hazardous, risky, treacherous

Antonyms: safe, secure, harmless

perish

/ˈperɪʃ/verb
Intermediate

To die, especially in a violent or sudden way; to decay or deteriorate

Thousands perished in the earthquake.

Synonyms: die, expire, decay, rot

Antonyms: survive, live, thrive

permit

/pəˈmɪt/ (verb), /ˈpɜːmɪt/ (noun)verb/noun
Intermediate

To allow or give permission for something; an official document giving authorization

The teacher permitted the students to leave early.

Synonyms: allow, authorize, sanction, licence

Antonyms: prohibit, forbid, ban

perplexed

/pəˈplekst/adjective
Intermediate

Completely puzzled or confused; unable to understand something

She looked perplexed when asked to solve the riddle.

Synonyms: confused, puzzled, baffled, bewildered

Antonyms: clear, understanding, certain

persuade

/pəˈsweɪd/verb
Intermediate

To convince someone to do or believe something through reasoning or argument

She persuaded her parents to let her go to the concert.

Synonyms: convince, influence, sway, coax

Antonyms: discourage, dissuade, deter

physical

/ˈfɪzɪkəl/adjective
Intermediate

Relating to the body rather than the mind; relating to things that can be seen, touched, or measured

Regular physical exercise is important for good health.

Synonyms: bodily, corporeal, material, tangible

Antonyms: mental, spiritual, emotional

physiotherapy

/ˌfɪziəʊˈθerəpi/noun
Advanced

The treatment of disease, injury, or disability through physical methods such as exercise and massage

After the surgery, she needed months of physiotherapy to walk again.

Synonyms: physical therapy, rehabilitation, bodywork

pigment

/ˈpɪɡmənt/noun
Intermediate

A substance that gives colour to something; natural colouring matter in living things

The artist mixed pigments to create the perfect shade of blue.

Synonyms: colour, dye, tint, colouring

pioneer

/ˌpaɪəˈnɪə/noun/verb
Intermediate

A person who is among the first to explore or develop something new; to be the first to develop

Marie Curie was a pioneer in the field of radioactivity.

Synonyms: innovator, trailblazer, founder, explorer

Antonyms: follower, imitator

placid

/ˈplæsɪd/adjective
Intermediate

Calm and peaceful; not easily upset or excited; tranquil

The placid lake reflected the mountains like a mirror.

Synonyms: calm, peaceful, tranquil, serene

Antonyms: agitated, turbulent, stormy

pledge

/pledʒ/noun/verb
Intermediate

A solemn promise or undertaking; to commit to giving or doing something

The politician made a pledge to reduce taxes.

Synonyms: promise, vow, oath, commitment

Antonyms: denial, refusal, betrayal

plume

/pluːm/noun
Intermediate

A long, soft feather or arrangement of feathers; a cloud of smoke or steam rising into the air

The peacock displayed its magnificent plume of feathers.

Synonyms: feather, quill, cloud, column

plunder

/ˈplʌndə/verb/noun
Intermediate

To steal goods using force, especially during war or civil unrest; the violent seizure of property

The pirates plundered the merchant ship.

Synonyms: loot, pillage, rob, raid

Antonyms: protect, guard, return

plunge

/plʌndʒ/verb/noun
Intermediate

To jump or dive quickly and energetically; to decrease suddenly and dramatically

She plunged into the cold swimming pool.

Synonyms: dive, drop, fall, descend

Antonyms: rise, climb, ascend

polarity

/pəʊˈlærɪti/noun
Advanced

The state of having two opposite qualities, tendencies, or poles; the direction of magnetic or electric force

The polarity of the debate showed how divided opinions were.

Synonyms: opposition, contrast, dichotomy, duality

Antonyms: unity, similarity, agreement

pompous

/ˈpɒmpəs/adjective
Intermediate

Self-important and excessively dignified; showing an inflated sense of one's own importance

His pompous speech bored everyone at the conference.

Synonyms: arrogant, self-important, conceited, pretentious

Antonyms: humble, modest, unassuming

poultry

/ˈpəʊltri/noun
Intermediate

Domestic birds kept for eggs or meat, such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese

The farm raises poultry for the local market.

Synonyms: fowl, birds, chickens, domestic birds

precarious

/prɪˈkeəriəs/adjective
Advanced

Not securely held or in position; dangerously unstable; dependent on uncertain circumstances

The vase was in a precarious position on the edge of the shelf.

Synonyms: unstable, insecure, uncertain, risky

Antonyms: stable, secure, safe

prejudice

/ˈpredʒʊdɪs/noun/verb
Intermediate

A preconceived opinion not based on reason or experience; unfair treatment based on such opinions

We must fight against racial prejudice in all its forms.

Synonyms: bias, discrimination, intolerance, bigotry

Antonyms: tolerance, fairness, impartiality

present

/ˈprezənt/ (noun/adj), /prɪˈzent/ (verb)noun/adjective/verb
Intermediate

A gift; the current time; being in a particular place; to give or show something formally

She opened her birthday presents with excitement.

Synonyms: gift, current, here, introduce

Antonyms: absent, past, future

privilege

/ˈprɪvɪlɪdʒ/noun/verb
Intermediate

A special right or advantage available only to a particular person or group; an honour

Having access to quality education is a privilege not everyone enjoys.

Synonyms: advantage, right, benefit, honour

Antonyms: disadvantage, burden, obligation

probably

/ˈprɒbəbli/adverb
Intermediate

Almost certainly; as far as one knows or can tell; in all likelihood

It will probably rain tomorrow according to the forecast.

Synonyms: likely, presumably, perhaps, possibly

Antonyms: unlikely, improbably, definitely not

proclaim

/prəˈkleɪm/verb
Intermediate

To announce officially or publicly; to declare openly and proudly

The king proclaimed a national holiday.

Synonyms: announce, declare, broadcast, pronounce

Antonyms: conceal, hide, suppress

procure

/prəˈkjʊə/verb
Advanced

To obtain something, especially with care or effort; to acquire or secure

The company procured materials from sustainable sources.

Synonyms: obtain, acquire, secure, get

Antonyms: lose, forfeit, give away

profession

/prəˈfeʃən/noun
Intermediate

A paid occupation requiring specialized education and training; the body of people in such an occupation

She chose medicine as her profession.

Synonyms: career, occupation, vocation, field

Antonyms: hobby, pastime

profit

/ˈprɒfɪt/noun/verb
Intermediate

Financial gain; the money made after subtracting costs; to gain benefit or advantage

The company made a profit of two million pounds last year.

Synonyms: gain, earnings, return, benefit

Antonyms: loss, deficit, expense

programme

/ˈprəʊɡræm/noun/verb
Intermediate

A planned series of events or activities; a broadcast on television or radio; to arrange or schedule

The school introduced a new reading programme for struggling students.

Synonyms: plan, schedule, show, broadcast

prohibit

/prəˈhɪbɪt/verb
Intermediate

To formally forbid by law, rule, or authority; to prevent or make impossible

Smoking is prohibited in all public buildings.

Synonyms: forbid, ban, outlaw, bar

Antonyms: allow, permit, authorize

prominent

/ˈprɒmɪnənt/adjective
Intermediate

Important or well-known; easily visible; sticking out or projecting

She is a prominent figure in the world of fashion.

Synonyms: famous, notable, distinguished, conspicuous

Antonyms: unknown, obscure, inconspicuous

promote

/prəˈməʊt/verb
Intermediate

To support or encourage; to advance to a higher position or rank; to advertise or publicize

The charity works to promote education in developing countries.

Synonyms: advance, support, encourage, advertise

Antonyms: demote, discourage, hinder

prompt

/prɒmpt/adjective/verb/noun
Intermediate

Done without delay; quick to act; to cause or encourage an action; a cue or reminder

We appreciate your prompt response to our enquiry.

Synonyms: quick, swift, immediate, encourage

Antonyms: slow, delayed, late

pronunciation

/prəˌnʌnsiˈeɪʃən/noun
Intermediate

The way in which a word or language is spoken; the act of producing the sounds of speech

Her pronunciation of French words was impeccable.

Synonyms: articulation, enunciation, diction, accent

proportion

/prəˈpɔːʃən/noun
Intermediate

A part or share of a whole; the relationship of one thing to another in terms of size or amount

A large proportion of the budget goes towards education.

Synonyms: ratio, percentage, share, fraction

Antonyms: disproportion, imbalance

prosperous

/ˈprɒspərəs/adjective
Intermediate

Successful, flourishing, or thriving, especially financially; bringing wealth and success

The prosperous merchant owned several ships.

Synonyms: successful, thriving, wealthy, affluent

Antonyms: poor, struggling, failing

provoke

/prəˈvəʊk/verb
Intermediate

To stimulate or give rise to a reaction or emotion; to deliberately annoy or anger someone

His comments provoked an angry response from the audience.

Synonyms: annoy, irritate, anger, incite

Antonyms: calm, soothe, pacify

public

/ˈpʌblɪk/adjective/noun
Intermediate

Of or concerning the people as a whole; open to or shared by all; the community or people in general

The park is open to the public seven days a week.

Synonyms: common, communal, shared, open

Antonyms: private, personal, secret

punctual

/ˈpʌŋktʃuəl/adjective
Intermediate

Arriving or doing something at the expected or agreed time; prompt and on time

She is always punctual for meetings and never keeps anyone waiting.

Synonyms: prompt, on time, timely, reliable

Antonyms: late, tardy, delayed

puncture

/ˈpʌŋktʃə/noun/verb
Intermediate

A small hole made by a sharp object; to make a hole in something; to deflate suddenly

The cyclist had to repair a puncture in his tyre.

Synonyms: hole, pierce, perforate, prick

Antonyms: seal, mend, repair

purpose

/ˈpɜːpəs/noun
Intermediate

The reason for which something is done or created; a person's sense of resolve or determination

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the new project.

Synonyms: aim, goal, objective, intention

Antonyms: aimlessness, purposelessness

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