Of Human Bondage — Vocabulary
W. Somerset Maugham
(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
	56	top 2000
vulgarvulgar → vulgarity:crudeness (showing of bad taste) Her vulgarity was a turnoff.more Show sample from book It was a triumph of irony for that outcast poet to die amid the trappings of vulgar respectability;55 more common (and so thought to be of unsophisticated) Show general definition of bad taste -- often crude or offensive or: unsophisticated (or common) -- especially of taste
	32	top 500
notwithstandingin spite of Notwithstanding my fear, I want to try parachuting from an airplane.more Show sample from book Sometimes, notwithstanding the cold, a couple came on to the balcony and stood for a moment to get some fresh air; and Philip, imagining that they were in love with one another, turned away and limped along the street with a heavy hurt.31 more despite Show general definition used to show that something remains true even though something else seems to go against it Show editor's word notes Most commonly, you can substitute "in spite of" for notwithstanding. But see the first exemplary sample sentences for other common word substitutions.
	27	top 1000
reproachreproach → reproached:criticized and expressed disappointment She reproached him for treating his sister so thoughtlessly.more Show sample from book He reproached Philip for laziness, asked him when he was going to start work,26 more reproach → reproached:criticized Show general definition a criticism; or to express criticism or disappointment -- especially where a relationship makes the disapproval result in disappointment or shame Show editor's word notes The expression "beyond reproach" is often used to indicate that one must not only be careful to do everything right, but must be careful not to do anything that might make people suspect they did something wrong. For example, politicians often need to behave in a manner that is beyond reproach. "Beyond reproach" can also suggest that something is perfect. More rarely, it can also be used to suggest that someone is too powerful or too well-connected to criticize.
	24	top 2000
sulkto overly indulge in being unhappy and unsociable She was disappointed and retreated to her room to sulk.more Show sample from book He would sulk for a day, and he suffered more because Rose either did not notice his ill-humour or deliberately ignored it.†23 more to be overly unhappy and unsociable Show general definition to be overly unhappy and unsociable -- often due to disappointment or a sense of not getting what was deserved
	11	top 2000
ironywhen what happens is very different than what might be expected She didn't see the irony in acting like the mother she detested.more Show sample from book It was a triumph of irony for that outcast poet to die amid the trappings of vulgar respectability;12 more when what happened was very different than what might have been expected Show general definition for irony (as in: situational irony) when what happens is very different than what might be expected; or when things are together that seem like they don't belong together -- especially when amusing or an entertaining coincidence Show editor's word notes This is sometimes referred to as "situational irony." The term is especially appropriate when actions have consequences opposite to those intended. The expression ironic smile, generally references someone smiling at situational irony. All forms of irony involve the perception that things are not what they might seem.
	2	top 2000
irony#2irony → ironic:saying one thing, while meaning the opposite She was being ironic when she said she couldn't wait to see you again.more Show sample from book With a blank face Philip offered his congratulations, and Flanagan was so busy congratulating himself that he did not catch the note of irony which Philip could not prevent from coming into his voice.12 more saying one thing while meaning the opposite Show general definition for irony (as in: verbal irony) saying one thing, while meaning the opposite or something else -- usually as humor or sarcasm Show editor's word notes This is sometimes referred to as "verbal irony." Typically, the speaker says one thing but means the opposite, and the tone of voice or the context of the situation makes the true, contradictory meaning clear. All forms of irony involve the perception that things are not what they might seem.
	17	top 1000
vehementforceful or intense She was vehement in her defense of her friend, insisting that he was innocent.more Show sample from book Before the American could answer someone else broke in vehemently.†16 more vehement → vehemently:marked by extreme intensity -- especially emotion such as anger Show general definition marked by extreme intensity -- especially emotion such as anger
	14	top 1000
monotonouslacking variety and boring We hope to replace people with robots for the most monotonous work.more Show sample from book He was very fond of reciting poetry, his own and that of others, which he did in a monotonous sing-song.†13 more lacking in variety and/or boring Show general definition lacking in variety -- typically boring
	17	top 2000
grotesquedistorted or ugly She was wearing a grotesque mask that was quite disturbing.more Show sample from book That knee, it's grotesque.†16 more 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
	17	top 2000
parisha local church community or in some places including Louisiana: a jurisdiction of government like a county Are we talking about a governmental or a religious parish?more Show sample from book He really seemed to look upon himself as the most important person in the parish.†16 more a local church community…
	16	top 2000
saunterwalk leisurely It was pleasant to saunter lazily through the park.more Show sample from book Sometimes he sauntered through the streets of the old town.†15 more saunter → sauntered:walked leisurely Show general definition to walk leisurely
	14	top 1000
prescribeprescribe → prescribed:gave medical instructions instructing that the patient should take The doctor prescribed an antibiotic for the infection.more Show sample from book He wrote a prescription, gave instructions, and left.†13 more prescribe → prescription:a recommendation or requirement OR (from a medical doctor) an instruction -- such as writing that a patient should take antibiotics Show general definition to recommend or require what should be done or more specifically: of a medical doctor: to give medical instructions -- such as writing that a patient should take antibiotics
	30	top 500
elaboratecomplicated It's part of her elaborate plan for getting accepted at Harvard.more Show sample from book All his plans were suddenly overthrown, and the existence, so elaborately pictured, was no more than a dream which would never be realised.30 more elaborate → elaborately:rich in detail Show general definition for elaborate (as in: an elaborate design) having details and complexity -- sometimes fancy or ornate Show editor's word notes Depending upon it's context, this sense of elaborate can additionally imply that details make something either:<ul><li>more special than others of its kind in a good way</li></ul>or:<ul><li>more complicated than necessary in a bad way</li></ul>
	1
elaborate#2exaggerated He gave her a slow elaborate wink.more Show sample from book She coughed elaborately at the door so that Philip should have time to compose himself, she felt that he would be humiliated if she came upon him in the midst of his tears, then she rattled the door handle.30 more elaborate → elaborately:in an exaggerated manner 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).
	9	top 2000
uncouthrude or insensitive The uncouth remark was out of place in polite society.more Show sample from book He disliked the fisher folk, who were rough, uncouth, and went to chapel.†8 more rude or unpleasant due to a lack of manners, refinement, or taste Show general definition rude or unpleasant due to a lack of manners, refinement, or taste
	9
corpulenthaving excessive body fat She also counsels her more corpulent patients on the advisability and techniques of losing weight.†more Show sample from book He was a man of middle height and of a corpulent figure; he had sandy hair, worn very short and now growing gray, and a small bristly moustache.†8 more excessive body fat Show general definition with excessive body fat
	8	top 2000
superciliousarrogant I have come to hate her supercilious smile.more Show sample from book As he limped along the high street of Blackstable he looked with a tinge of superciliousness at the people he passed.†7 more supercilious → superciliousness:arrogant (acting as if better, more important, and superior in ideas than others… Show general definition arrogant (acting as if better, more important, and superior in ideas than others)
	2	top 1000
transparentcapable of being seen through with clarity The transparent shower door shows water spots.more Show sample from book She was so thin that she seemed almost transparent, the arms she put round his neck were frail bones that reminded you of chicken bones, and her faded face was oh! so wrinkled.2 more capable of being seen through Show general definition for transparent (as in: transparent shower door) able to be seen through with clarity
	1	top 1000
transparent#2obvious (despite attempts to hide them) She tried to hide her emotions, but her true feelings were transparent.more Show sample from book Philip knew very little about women, or he would have been aware that one should accept their most transparent lies.2 more obvious Show general definition for transparent (as in: transparent lie) obvious despite attempts to hide
	7	top 2000
flippanthaving an inappropriate lack of seriousness Her response is entertaining, but the question deserves a less flippant answer.more Show sample from book There was never here any of that flashing humour which made the other masters suspect him of flippancy.†6 more flippant → flippancy:an inappropriate lack of seriousness Show general definition showing an inappropriate lack of seriousness