The Grapes of Wrath — Vocabulary
John Steinbeck
(Auto-generated)

Word Set

Samples

Sort By

Further limit words

by chapter of first use

to Show all

by difficulty

to (9 is most difficult)

by interest

underline any show only

Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	22	top 1000
sullenunhappy and withdrawn She changed from a happy, outgoing child to sullen teenager.more Show sample from book Connie's eyes were sullen.21 more showing a gloomy or bad mood Show general definition for sullen (as in: a sullen mood) being unhappy (and often withdrawn)
	8	top 500
contracta written agreement that is enforceable by law She signed the contract.more Show sample from book Well, this here fella's got a contract to pick them peaches or chop that cotton.8 more legal agreement Show general definition for contract (as in: legal contract) an agreement - typically written and enforceable by law
	1	top 500
contract#2contract → contracts:gets shorter When it is cold, the metal in the bridge contracts and the joints are further apart.more Show sample from book The house cracked loudly as the cooler night air contracted the wood.8 more contract → contracted:shrank Show context notes Wood, like most materials, gets a little smaller as it cools. Show general definition for contract (as in: the metal contracted in the cold) when something gets shorter or smaller
	17	top 2000
proprietorowner The proprietor of the bookstore greeted each customer warmly and offered personalized recommendations based on their interests.more Show sample from book The proprietor leaned forward in his chair, the better to see the ragged dirty man.16 more owner of a business Show general definition the owner of a business
	17
migrantmoving from one place to another -- often seasonally for work Her parents were migrant farm workers.more Show sample from book They were not farm men any more, but migrant men.16 more (people who) move from one place to another Show general definition a person (or animal) that moves from one place to another -- sometimes seasonally -- sometimes for work
	17	top 2000
paroleconditional early release from imprisonment Being home by 10 pm is one of the conditions of my parole.more Show sample from book If they raised a stink, they'd get sent back for breakin' parole.16 more things they promised to do in return for early release from imprisonment Show general definition for parole (as in: released on parole) conditional early release from imprisonment in which a person is required to comply with special conditions
	8	top 200
apprehensiveworried She is apprehensive about her new job.more Show sample from book Thomas looked apprehensive.7 more Show general definition worried over possible misfortune
	1	top 100
focusconcentrate I find that studying in the library helps me to focus.more Show sample from book His eyes focused down on Tom.2 more focus → focused:looked Show general definition for focus (as in: Turn your focus to question #2.) to direct attention or effort toward a single thing; or the ability to do so without getting distracted
	2	top 2000
focus#2into view (as an area of attention) The bridge collapse brought aging infrastructure into focus as a political issue.more Show sample from book And still the family stood about like dream walkers, their eyes focused panoramically, seeing no detail, but the whole dawn, the whole land, the whole texture of the country at once.2 more focus → focused:adjusted (to see clearly) Show general definition for focus (as in: bring into focus; or out of focus) a state where something has come into view or can be seen clearly; or an adjustment made to permit a clear view
	8	top 500
cultivatedevelop or grow We encourage our representatives to cultivate a close relationship with their clients.more Show sample from book ... and the land was cultivated.7 more cultivate → cultivated:prepared for growing crops Show general definition enhance growth or development in various senses, including: to grow crops or prepare land for them enhance a relationship -- especially for a purpose develop discernment (better recognition of differences) in taste or judgment to grow a culture in a petri dish
	10	top 2000
baptismbaptism → baptized:"spiritually renewed" in a Christian ceremony She was baptized at the same church as her grandmother.more Show context notes The suffix "-ize" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize. Show sample from book Baptized both of you in the irrigation ditch at once.9 more Show general definition a Christian ceremony signifying spiritual cleansing and rebirth or: a challenging experience that initiates or purifies Show editor's word notes Most churches baptize infants, but some require an adult to request baptism, and a few (such as the Quakers) require no baptism at all. Typically, water is used as part of the ceremony, such as sprinkling a little water on a baby's head; though some churches use complete submersion in water.
	7	top 1000
protrudestick out Metal spikes protrude from the dog's collar.more Show sample from book Al pointed to a big nail protruding from the flat casing.†6 more protrude → protruding:sticking out Show general definition to stick out from
	6	top 500
techniqueway of doing something She developed a new surgical technique that shortens recovery time.more Show sample from book At first the families were timid in the building and tumbling worlds, but gradually the technique of building worlds became their technique.†5 more Show general definition a way of doing something; or the methods used to do it well
	6	top 1000
listlesslacking energy and normal enthusiasm She was listless and bored.more Show sample from book The old eyes turned listlessly to him.5 more listless → listlessly:with a lack of energy
	11
squattersquatter → squatters:people who live in an unoccupied place without the legal right She estimates that there are over a billion squatters in the world.more Show sample from book And then the raids—the swoop of armed deputies on the squatters' camps.†10 more Show general definition someone who lives in an unoccupied place without the legal right Show editor's word notes In most countries, if squatters are able to stay long enough, they will acquire legal title.
	8
wizenedthin and wrinkled She was a wizened old woman with gray hair.†more Show sample from book The wizened face looked in again.7 more lean and wrinkled Show general definition thin and wrinkled -- typically from age or illness
	5
pauperperson who is very poor I want to go to a college where the loans won't leave me feeling like a pauper-in-waiting.more Show sample from book They take forty to bury Grampa an' we won't get to California--or else they'll bury him a pauper.4 more someone who is very poor Show general definition someone who is very poor
	3	top 2000
belligerenthostile or combative She spoke to her teacher in a belligerent tone and was sent to the office.more Show sample from book "A fella got to eat," he began; and then, belligerently, "A fella got a right to eat."2 more belligerent → belligerently:as though ready for a fight Show general definition hostile (the attitude of one eager to fight); or one already engaged in a fight or war
	3	top 2000
implementimplement → implements:small tools They found a skeleton along with a number of implements belonging to the Stone Age.more Show sample from book And the men in the seat were tired and angry and sad, for they had got eighteen dollars for every movable thing from the farm: the horses, the wagon, the implements, and all the furniture from the house.2 more implement → implements:small tools and other useful objects Show general definition for implement (as in: a small implement) a small tool or other useful object
	2
grovelshow complete submission She wasn't content just to win. She wanted to see me grovel.more Show sample from book And the preacher paced like a tiger, whipping the people with his voice, and they groveled and whined on the ground.†1 more grovel → groveled:showed submission or fear Show general definition to show submission or fear -- sometimes by crawling or lying face down