Of Mice and Men — Vocabulary
John Steinbeck
(Edited)

Book sample Uses ACT/SAT
5 top 1000
deliberatecareful and slow
He used a deliberate, thoughtful slowness.p.55.64 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
She is a deliberate thinker--not the fastest, but always thorough.more
Show general definition for deliberate (as in: a deliberate thinker) done with great care -- often slowly
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scornstrong disrespect
She turned on him in scorn.p.80.82 more
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Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more
scorn → scorned:rejected
Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
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skepticalskeptical → skeptically:with doubt
"I ain't so sure," said George skeptically.p.19.41 more
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I am skeptical about her plan.more
doubtful
Show general definition doubtful (that something is true or worthwhile)

or more rarely:

generally tending to doubt what others believe
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sullensullen → sullenness:appearance of a bad mood
She paused and her face lost its sullenness and grew interested.p.78.32 more
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She changed from a happy, outgoing child to sullen teenager.more
unhappy and withdrawn
Show general definition for sullen (as in: a sullen mood) being unhappy (and often withdrawn)
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subsidesubside → subsided:became less intense
He subsided, grumbling to himself, threatening the future cats which might dare to disturb the future rabbits.p.58.91 more
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I'm hoping aspirin will make the pain subside.more
become less severe
Show general definition for subside (as in: her anger subsided) become less intense, less severe, or less active -- perhaps going away entirely
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contortcontort → contorted:twisted into an unnatural shape
His face was contorted.p.91.21 more
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Her face contorted in fury and frustration.more
Show general definition twist or bend to an unnatural shape -- something such as the human body, a facial expression, or the truth
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precedego before
Carlson stepped back to let Slim precede him, and then the two of them went out the door.p.36.6
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
Stone tools preceded bronze tools.more
precede → preceded:were before in time
Show general definition to go or do before
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apprehensiveworried
She was suddenly apprehensive.p.32.1
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She is apprehensive about her new job.more
Show general definition worried over possible misfortune
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indignantindignant → indignation:anger at something that is unjust
She was breathless with indignation.p.78.8
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
"I am not a fool," she said indignantly.more
indignant → indignantly:with anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong
Show general definition angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
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earnestearnest → earnestly:sincerely
"No I ain't," Lennie explained earnestly.p.90.2
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
I began training in earnest the summer before high school.more
earnest → in earnest:in a serious manner
Show general definition characterized by sincere belief

or:

intensely or excessively serious or determined
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confideconfide → confided:place trust (in someone) and talk about private things
"Well, I ain't told this to nobody before. Maybe I oughten to. I don' like Curley. He ain't a nice fella." And because she had confided in him, she moved closer to Lennie and sat beside him.p.89.1
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
She confided in me. I won't repeat what was said.more
confide → confided:placed trust (in someone) by talking about private things
Show general definition to place trust (in someone) by talking about private things or telling secrets
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despairhopelessness
He looked down at the ground in despair.p.5.5
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Don't give in to despair.more
a feeling of hopelessness
Show general definition for despair (as in: she felt despair) hopelessness; or distress (such as extreme worry or sadness from feeling powerless to change a bad situation)
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anguishanguish → anguished:extremely distressed
He looked across the fire at Lennie's anguished face, and then he looked ashamedly at the flames.p.11.9
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I felt unbearable anguish when my 4-year-old child died from brain cancer.more
pain
Show general definition extreme pain, suffering, or distress (of body or mind)
2 top 200
complacentcomplacent → complacently:with satisfaction
Lennie, who had been following the conversation back and forth with his eyes, smiled complacently at the compliment.p.34.71 more
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She had become complacent after years of success.more
unworried and satisfied
Show general definition contented (unworried and satisfied) -- often to a fault
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morosemorose → morosely:unhappily
He fell morosely silent.p.23.82 more
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She drank alone in the corner, looking morose.more
unhappy
Show general definition unhappy -- often with a withdrawn personality
2 top 2000
brusquebrusque → brusquely:abruptly
"Awright," he said brusquely. "Gi'me that mouse! ... I ain't takin' it away jus' for meanness. That mouse ain't fresh, Lennie; and besides, you've broke it pettin' it."p.8.71 more
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She is known for her brusque manner and brief meetings.more
abrupt (not taking the time to be friendly)
Show general definition abrupt (sudden and quick -- without taking the time to be friendly)
2
elaborateexaggerated
He took on the elaborate manner of little girls when they are mimicking one another. "Jus' wanted to feel that girl's dress- jus' wanted to pet it like it was a mouse-- Well, how the hell did she know you jus' wanted to feel her dress? She jerks back and you hold on like it was a mouse."p.11.61 more
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He gave her a slow elaborate wink.more
Show general definition for elaborate (as in: an elaborate wink) to exaggerate an action
Show editor's word notes At times, this sense of elaborate can further imply that an action was exaggerated by prolonging it (performing it more slowly than normal).
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toneattitude
His tone was friendly.p.34.83 more
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Which of the following words best maintains the tone established in this passage.more
general feeling
Show general definition for tone (as in: the tone of the essay) the general feeling, mood, or attitude of something -- especially of something said or written
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indicateindicate → indicated:pointed to
"We kinda look after each other."  He indicated Lennie with his thumb.p.34.91 more
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These maps are drawn with north to the top unless otherwise indicated.more
indicate → indicated:pointed out (shown)
Show general definition to show (point out, demonstrate, express, or suggest)
Show editor's word notes The form, indicator can refer to many different kinds of things including intentional signals (such as a turn indicator), gauges (such as one that indicates pressure), or a measurement (such as an economic or chemical indicator).
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gravegrave → gravity:seriousness and importance (weightiness)
There was a gravity in his manner and a quiet so profound that all talk stopped when he spoke. His authority was so great that his word was taken on any subject, be it politics or love.p.33.8
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
Her smile disappeared as she suddenly realized the gravity of her situation.more
grave → gravity:seriousness or importance (weightiness)
Show general definition for grave (as in: Her manner was grave.) serious and/or solemn
The exact meaning of this sense of grave can depend upon its context. For example:
  • "This is a grave problem," or "a situation of the utmost gravity." -- important, dangerous, or causing worry
  • "She was in a grave mood upon returning from the funeral." -- sad or solemn
  • "She looked me in the eye and gravely promised." -- in a sincere and serious manner