The Picture of Dorian Gray — Vocabulary
Oscar Wilde
20 chapter version
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	3	top 200
subtlesubtle → subtly:working in a way that is hard to see She is working subtly against us.more Show sample from book There were poisons so subtle that to know their properties one had to sicken of them.21 more hidden in the way they work Show general definition for subtle (as in: a subtle poison) working in an indirect or hidden way
	19	top 200
subtle#2making use of slight distinctions She used subtle reasoning to expose the absurdity of his argument.more Show sample from book the loveliness and subtleties of certain colours21 more subtle → subtleties:slightly noticeable differences Show general definition for subtle (as in: a subtle difference or thinker) not obvious, but noticeable with enough insight and knowledge or: able to notice or understand things that require insight and sensitivity
	17	top 1000
loathehate I make New Year's resolutions every year and then loathe myself for breaking them.more Show sample from book Would it teach him to loathe his own soul?16 more Show general definition hate, detest, or intensely dislike Show editor's word notes Word Confusion: Do not confuse loathe with loath which sounds very similar or the same. Loathe is a verb while loath is an adjective describing "reluctance or unwillingness to do something." Note that loathing and loathsome are forms of the verb loathe even though both word forms lack the "e". Occasionally, you will see loath spelled as loathe even in a published book, but it is rare enough that it is generally considered an error rather than a non-standard spelling.
	18	top 2000
vulgarvulgar → vulgarity:crudeness (showing of bad taste) Her vulgarity was a turnoff.more Show sample from book There was something so crude and vulgar about everything of the kind.17 more of bad taste Show general definition of bad taste -- often crude or offensive or: unsophisticated (or common) -- especially of taste
	12	top 1000
tediousboring I'll have to endure one of her tedious lectures.more Show sample from book it was certainly a tedious party.11 more Show general definition boring -- especially because something goes on too long or without variation
	11	top 1000
listlesslacking energy and normal enthusiasm She was listless and bored.more Show sample from book "I don't feel up to it," said Dorian, listlessly.10 more listless → listlessly:with a lack of energy and normal enthusiasm
	13	top 2000
operaa classical music play in which most of the dialogue is sung She is a popular opera singer.more Show sample from book They ... used to be always seen together at the Opera, and wherever good music was going on.12 more performances of classical music plays in which most of the dialogue is sung Show general definition a form of musical theater with orchestra in which most of the words are sung, often in a classical style and sometimes in a foreign language
	9	top 1000
languidslow, unhurried No urging could increase his languid pace.more Show sample from book The two men sauntered languidly to the table8 more languid → languidly:moving slowly Show general definition lacking energy or relaxed or moving slowly
	10	top 2000
temperamentcharacter resulting in mood and tendencies She has the experience, temperament, and judgment for the job.more Show sample from book Still, there are certain temperaments that marriage makes more complex.†9 more temperament → temperaments:usual moods and tendencies Show general definition for temperament (as in: it is her temperament) usual mood and tendencies
	11	top 2000
wroughtworked or crafted The windows have decorative wrought iron bars for security.more Show sample from book The screen was an old one, of gilt Spanish leather, stamped and wrought with a rather florid Louis-Quatorze pattern.10 more worked (decoratively crafted) Show general definition for wrought (as in: wrought iron) worked -- as when iron is shaped to fit by bending or beating
	9	top 2000
tremulousquivering (shaky) She spoke timidly in a tremulous voice.more Show sample from book In the grass, white daisies were tremulous.8 more Show general definition quivering (unsteady or shaky) -- usually from weakness or fear -- especially of the voice
	8	top 1000
perilperil → perils:dangers The mountaineers faced many perils on their ascent to the summit, including treacherous icefalls and avalanches.more Show sample from book He was conscious also of the shallowness and vanity of his mother's nature, and in that saw infinite peril for Sibyl and Sibyl's happiness.†7 more danger Show general definition danger
	9	top 2000
grotesquedistorted or ugly She was wearing a grotesque mask that was quite disturbing.more Show sample from book The waving of crooked, false-jewelled fingers gave grotesqueness to the words.†8 more grotesque → grotesqueness:distorted and unnatural in shape or size Show general definition distorted and unnatural in shape or size -- especially in a disturbing way or: ugly, gross, or very wrong
	6	top 500
paradoxsomething that seems contradictory but is true It’s a paradox that the more we learn, the more we realize how little we know.more Show sample from book "Paradoxes are all very well in their way...." rejoined the Baronet.†5 more paradox → paradoxes:situations or statements that may be true but are surprising or seem impossible because parts of them seem to contradict each other Show general definition a situation or statement that seems to contradict itself but may still be true
	3	top 1000
discordconflict There is too much discord in the team.more Show sample from book --to observe where they met, and where they separated, at what point they were in unison, and at what point they were at discord,3 more conflict (disagreement) Show general definition for discord (as in: discord amongst the group) conflict or disagreement -- especially among those expected to cooperate or (especially in the form discordant): seeming different or wrong in context
	1	top 1000
discord#2discord → discordant:unpleasant sounding She described the loud discordant music as a form of torture.more Show sample from book Their voices were horribly shrill and discordant.3 more discord → discordant:unpleasant sounding (especially in combination) Show general definition for discord (as in: discordant music) unpleasant sound -- especially a combination of sounds that sound wrong together (though sometimes done intentionally in music)
	8
pallidabnormally pale (lacking healthy skin color) She looked weak and her face was pallid.more Show sample from book Dorian Gray lifted his golden head from the pillow, and with pallid face and tear-stained eyes looked at him, as he walked over to the deal painting-table that was set beneath the high curtained window.†7 more abnormally pale (lacking healthy skin color)… Show general definition abnormally pale (lacking healthy skin color); or anything that lacks energy or liveliness
	6
inquestformal inquiry or investigation The coroner's inquest ruled the death a homicide.more Show sample from book There will have to be an inquest, of course, and you must not be mixed up in it.†5 more formal investigation Show general definition a formal inquiry or investigation -- typically into the cause of an undesirable event -- often an investigation of an unexpected death
	3	top 500
censurecensure → censured:formally criticized They censured him for bringing dishonor upon the Senate.more Show sample from book Women who had wildly adored him, and for his sake had braved all social censure and set convention at defiance, were seen to grow pallid with shame or horror if Dorian Gray entered the room.2 more criticism Show general definition harsh criticism; or formal criticism from an organization -- such as the U.S. Senate
	4
pathosa quality that arouses pity or sorrow The novel triumphs with humor and pathos.more Show sample from book You said to me once that pathos left you unmoved, but that beauty, mere beauty, could fill your eyes with tears.†3 more