The Importance of Being Earnest — Vocabulary
Oscar Wilde
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Exemplary sample	Uses	Broad Use
	8	top 200
indignantindignant → indignantly:with anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong "I am not a fool," she said indignantly.more Show sample from book [Jack looks indignantly at him, and leaves the room.]7 more indignant → indignantly:angered at something unjust or wrong Show general definition angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
	5	top 100
candidhonest and direct Don't worry about my feelings. I'd like your candid opinion.more Show sample from book Personally, darling, to speak quite candidly, I don't much care about the name of Ernest.4 more candid → candidly:with honesty and directness
	4	top 200
domesticrelated to the home or family The shelter helps victims of domestic violence find safe housing and support.more Show sample from book neglect his domestic duties3 more relating to the home or family Show general definition for domestic (as in: domestic happiness) relating to a home or family
	3	top 100
alludeallude → alluded:indirectly referenced He alluded to Susan without mentioning her name.more Show sample from book Do you allude to me, Miss Cardew, as an entanglement?2 more to make an indirect reference Show general definition to make an indirect reference Show editor's word notes The expression, no allusion can mean "not even an indirect reference"; i.e., neither a direct nor an indirect reference to something.
	4	top 1000
speculatespeculate → speculated:thought and guessed without certainty Philosophers have speculated on the question for thousands of years.more Show sample from book Oh! there is no use speculating on that subject.3 more speculate → speculating:thinking or guessing Show general definition for speculate (as in: don't know, but I'll speculate) to think about, wonder, guess or theorize with much uncertainty
	3	top 500
deceptiondeceiving or misleading The law is intended to defeat denial and deception strategies.more Show sample from book Disloyalty would be as impossible to him as deception.†2 more the act of lying to or misleading someone; or something that misleads Show general definition the act of lying to or misleading someone; or something that misleads
	3	top 1000
tediousboring I'll have to endure one of her tedious lectures.more Show sample from book A man who marries without knowing Bunbury has a very tedious time of it.2 more Show general definition boring -- especially because something goes on too long or without variation
	3	top 1000
deceivemislead The plan was to deceive the Germans into believing the main attack would take place further north.more Show sample from book I can see no possible defence at all for your deceiving a brilliant, clever, thoroughly experienced young lady like Miss Fairfax.†2 more deceive → deceiving:lying or misleading Show general definition to lie to or mislead someone -- occasionally to lie to oneself by denying reality
	2	top 500
motivereason (for doing something) She believes the profit motive encourages people to satisfy other people's needs.more Show sample from book Cecily, who addresses me as her uncle from motives of respect that you could not possibly appreciate, lives at my place in the country under the charge of her admirable governess, Miss Prism.†1 more motive → motives:reasons for doing something Show general definition for motive (as in: What is her motive?) a reason for doing something
	4	top 2000
vulgarvulgar → vulgarity:crudeness (showing of bad taste) Her vulgarity was a turnoff.more Show sample from book It is very vulgar to talk about one's business.3 more in bad taste (unsophisticated or crude) Show general definition of bad taste -- often crude or offensive or: unsophisticated (or common) -- especially of taste
	2	top 500
inquiryinvestigation The school launched an official inquiry into the allegations of cheating.more Show sample from book While I am making these inquiries, you, Gwendolen, will wait for me below in the carriage.†1 more inquiry → inquiries:questions or investigations Show general definition a question or investigation -- especially one meant to gather information or find out the truth
	2	top 500
reconcilereconcile → reconciled:made peace or restored friendship After months of not speaking, the two friends finally reconciled over coffee.more Show sample from book It's pleasant, is it not, to see so perfect a reconciliation?1 more reconcile → reconciliation:two people making up (to bring into agreement) Show general definition for reconcile (as in: reconciled their differences) to make peace between people or bring different ideas into agreement
	3	top 1000
metaphormetaphor → metaphorically:with a figure of speech in which a similarity between two things is highlighted by using a word to refer to something that it does not literally denote He was speaking metaphorically when he referred to being mugged by reality.more Show sample from book I spoke metaphorically.2 more metaphor → metaphorically:using a figure of speech Show general definition a figure of speech in which a similarity between two things is implied by using a word to refer to something it does not literally mean—as in, "All the world’s a stage." Show editor's word notes When Shakespeare wrote, "All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players." he was not saying the world is really a stage and all people are actors. But he was pointing to the similarities he wants us to recognize. While metaphors and similes are both techniques of figurative language. The distinction is that a simile explicitly shows that a comparison is being made, by using words such as "like" or "as". A metaphor simply substitutes words assuming the reader will understand the meaning should not be take literally. "She is like a diamond in the rough" is a simile; while "She is a diamond in the rough" is a metaphor.
	2	top 1000
susceptibleeasily influenced or harmed I am more susceptible to colds than most.more Show sample from book I myself am peculiarly susceptible to draughts.†1 more easily influenced or harmed; OR capable of being treated in a particular way Show general definition easily influenced or harmed or: capable of being treated in a particular way
	2
philanthropycharitable giving Her philanthropy funded scholarships for hundreds of needy students.more Show sample from book I don't quite like women who are interested in philanthropic work.1 more philanthropy → philanthropic:helping others Show general definition helping others -- especially donating money to worthy causes; or an organization that does so
	2
scoundrelsomeone without moral principles He's a scoundrel. Don't trust him.more Show sample from book You young scoundrel, Algy, you must get out of this place as soon as possible.†1 more Show general definition someone without moral principles
	1	top 500
refuterefute → refuted:argued against The speaker refuted his opponent's arguments.more Show sample from book They savour ... views that I have completely refuted in four of my unpublished sermons. refute → refuted:disproved or argued against Show general definition to disprove or argue against
	1	top 500
conducivehelpful The dorm room was not conducive to studying.more Show sample from book And as a high moral tone can hardly be said to conduce very much to either one's health or one's happiness, in order to get up to town I have always pretended to have a younger brother of the name of Ernest, who lives in the Albany, and gets into the most dreadful scrapes.† conducive → conduce:contribute (to a result) Show general definition helpful; or tending to contribute (to something)
	1	top 500
impetuousrash, impulsive His impetuous decision to quit his job left his family stunned and worried.more Show sample from book What an impetuous boy he is! impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) Show general definition for impetuous (as in: an impetuous decision) impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) -- often with an unfortunate consequence
	1	top 500
ostentatiousshowy (trying to attract notice and impress others in a manner seen as in bad taste) Although wealthy, the family is not ostentatious.more Show sample from book Algernon is an extremely, I may almost say an ostentatiously, eligible young man. ostentatious → ostentatiously:in a manner intended to attract notice and impress others Show general definition intended to attract notice and impress others -- especially with wealth in a vulgar way