Holes — Vocabulary
Louis Sachar
(Edited)

Book sample Uses ACT/SAT
6 top 2000
refugesafe place
If there was no water, no refuge, then they'd have nothing, not even hope.p.167.25 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The park serves as a refuge for wildlife.more
Show general definition something giving protection or comfort -- especially a safe place
2 top 100
distinctdistinct → indistinct:not clear or easily identifiable
They were still too far away to see the camp, but he could hear a blend of indistinct voices.p.196.71 more
Show context notes The prefix "in-" in indistinct means not and reverses the meaning of distinct. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
Martinez and his colleagues identified 21 distinct emotions made by the human face.more
different
Show general definition clear, easily noticed, and/or identifiable as different or separate
2 top 200
comprehendunderstand
It took a moment for Stanley to comprehend.p.175.71 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
I don't think she comprehends how dangerous this has become.more
comprehend → comprehends:fully understands
Show general definition to understand something -- especially to understand it completely
3 top 1000
tediousboring
But it would be boring to go through all the tedious details of all the changes in their lives.p.230.92 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
I'll have to endure one of her tedious lectures.more
Show general definition boring -- especially because something goes on too long or without variation
3 top 2000
reciterecite → recited:said out loud
He recited the alphabet for Zero, then Zero repeated it without a single mistake.p.97.32 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
She recited a poem.more
recite → recited:said aloud
Show general definition to say or read something aloud -- especially something previously memorized such as a poem

or:

to say in detail -- especially a list of things
2 top 1000
fugitivesomeone hiding from police
It would mean living the rest of his life as a fugitive.p.188.21 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
She is one of the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives.more
fugitive → fugitives:people hiding from law enforcement officers
Show general definition for fugitive (as in: she is a fugitive) someone who is running away or hiding to avoid arrest or an unpleasant situation
1 top 100
appropriateright (suitable or fitting)
He used to think he wanted to work for the F.B.I., but this didn't seem the appropriate place to mention that.p.57.5
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
These clothes aren't appropriate for work.more
suitable (fitting) for a particular situation
Show general definition for appropriate (as in: it is appropriate) suitable (fitting) for a particular situation
1 top 200
tracesmall amount
"Yes, it is," the Warden agreed, with just a trace of disappointment in her voice.p.214.6
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
There was not a trace of the defendant's DNA at the crime scene.more
a tiny quantity or indication
Show general definition for trace (as in: found a trace of) a small quantity; or any indication or evidence of
The exact meaning of this sense of trace depends upon its context. For example:
  • a small indication that something was present -- as in "The plane disappeared somewhere over the Pacific Ocean without leaving a trace."
  • a very small amount of something -- as in "The blood test showed a trace of steroids."
  • any evidence of something -- as in "We did not find a trace of the gene."
1 top 200
subtledifficult to notice
But those changes are subtle and hard to measure.p.230.2
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
She used subtle reasoning to expose the absurdity of his argument.more
making use of slight distinctions
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
1 top 500
adjacentnearby (close to each other)
They climbed down into adjacent holes, and waited for the camp to fall asleep.p.197.9
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
We stayed in adjacent hotel rooms.more
side-x-side (very near)
Show general definition very near -- often directly beside
6 top 1000
deliriumdelirium → delirious:mentally confused
He was delirious when he said it.p.128.85 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
She should not be left alone in case the fever returns and makes her delirious.more
Show general definition for delirium (as in: fever induced delirium) a usually brief state of mental confusion often accompanied by hallucinations
Show editor's word notes Delirium can result from high fever, intoxication, withdrawal, brain injury, and many other causes.
5 top 2000
bacteriatiny organisms so small it takes a microscope to see them
...he hoped, that he didn't get any of the bad bacteria.p.163.14 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The infection is caused by a bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics.more
microorganisms (living creatures so small it takes a microscope to see them)
Show general definition microorganisms (living creatures so small it takes a microscope to see them) that can both cause disease and be beneficial.

(Bacteria are different and larger than viruses.)
Show editor's word notes A single bacteria is called a bacterium and consists of a single cell that  reproduces by splitting. (This is unlike a virus that uses cells in the body to reproduce.)

Bacteria are found virtually everywhere. For example, there are typically 40 million bacterial cells in a gram of soil and a million bacterial cells in a milliliter of fresh water. Many bacteria reside on our skin and in our bodies. For example, bacteria in the stomach help animals digest food.
2 top 500
desolateempty, providing no shelter, water, or food
The land was barren and desolate.p.11.71 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The photos show the desolate surface of the moon.more
empty, providing no shelter or sustenance
Show general definition for desolate (as in: a desolate place) empty, providing no shelter or sustenance
2
evictioneviction → evicted:forced to move out (by the owner of the building)
In her last letter, his mom was worried that they might be evicted from their apartment because of the smell of burning sneakers.p.190.71 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The owner evicted the tenants because they didn't pay their rent.more
eviction → evicted:forced someone to leave their home
Show general definition the process of forcing someone to leave a place -- typically from a home due to non-payment
2
excavateexcavate → excavated:dug out
[The dirt] expanded when it was excavated. The piles were a lot bigger than his hole was deep.p.34.11 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
While excavating to lay the foundation, we encountered an ancient burial mound.more
excavate → excavating:digging
Show general definition to dig out
in various senses, including:
  • remove or lay bare -- as when removing top soil to lay a foundation
  • find or uncover -- as at an archaeological site
  • remove a part -- as a tooth from the gum that surrounds it
2
perseverancea tendency to continue working to achieve something despite difficulties
Stanley's father was smart and had a lot of perseverance.p.8.81 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
Her perseverance was finally rewarded.more
continued effort to achieve something despite difficulties
Show general definition continued effort to achieve something despite difficulties
2 top 2000
venompoison
Rattlesnake venom.p.90.41 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The rattlesnake's venom is deadly.more
Show general definition for venom (as in: snake venom) poison created by some insects and animals such as snakes
1 top 500
initiatestart
The A.G. will most likely initiate an investigation.p.208.3
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The study concluded that women initiate divorce more frequently than men.more
begin the process of
Show general definition for initiate (as in: initiate discussions) to cause (something) to begin
1 top 500
neutralneutral → neutralizes:makes something have no effect
Made from all natural ingredients, it neutralizes odor-causing fungi and bacteria.p.232.4
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 exemplary sample (not from book)
All the bathrooms in the dorm are gender neutral.more
not affected (in this case, bathrooms can be used by any gender)
Show general definition for neutral (as in: a carbon-neutral building) not affected by; or does not affect
The expression [x] neutral means two things do not affect each other. More specifically, it means one of two things depending upon context:
  • something is not affected by x -- for example "a revenue neutral tax plan" does not affect the amount of revenue collected. (It might raise taxes in one area and reduce them in another so that the total tax revenue is unchanged.)
  • something does not affect x -- for example "a carbon neutral home" is a home that does not affect carbon. Part of its design might include using solar energy to control climate rather than burning fossil fuels.
1 top 100
assumeaccept as true (without really knowing)
I assume the phone works.p.220.4
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
I assume she was at school today, but I don't remember actually seeing her.more
believe (without knowing for sure)
Show general definition for assume (as in: I assume it's true) to accept something as true without proof