The Things They Carried — Vocabulary
Tim O'Brien
(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
	3	top 100
focusconcentrate I find that studying in the library helps me to focus.more Show sample from book I focused on Jorgenson's brand-new boots, then on a pebble, then on my own face floating high above me-the last things I'd ever see.6 more focus → focused:looked Show general definition for focus (as in: Turn your focus to question #2.) to direct attention or effort toward a single thing; or the ability to do so without getting distracted
	4	top 2000
focus#2into view (as an area of attention) The bridge collapse brought aging infrastructure into focus as a political issue.more Show sample from book He'd try to bring the night into focus, willing coherence, but the effort would only cause distortions.6 more view (a state where something can be seen clearly) Show general definition for focus (as in: bring into focus; or out of focus) a state where something has come into view or can be seen clearly; or an adjustment made to permit a clear view
	5	top 100
consequenceconsequence → consequences:results Your decision will have three major consequences.more Show sample from book A moment of carelessness or bad judgment or plain stupidity carried consequences that lasted forever.5 more Show general definition for consequence (as in: a direct consequence of) a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
	1	top 1000
consequence#2consequence → consequential:important Think carefully. This is a consequential decision.more Show sample from book Hygiene became a matter of small consequence.5 more importance Show general definition for consequence (as in: of little consequence) importance or relevance
	14	top 2000
perimeterouter edges Don't go beyond the perimeter of the campgrounds.more Show sample from book Bunker Six, a pile of sandbags at the southwest corner of the perimeter.13 more the outer edge of a defended area Show general definition the outer edge The exact meaning of perimeter can depend upon its context. For example: "Stay inside the defensive perimeter." -- the outer edges of the area that is defended "It is common on the city's perimeter." -- the outer edges of the city "What is the perimeter of the square?" -- the sum of the length of the sides of a geometric shape
	14	top 2000
monka male member of a religious order typically living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience The Tibetan monk wore an orange robe.more Show sample from book The monks bowed and moved out of the pagoda into the bright morning sunlight.13 more monk → monks:male members of a religious order typically under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience
	2	top 2000
directwithout intervention from anything (in this case, not sun that is partially blocked or reflected) This flower does best in direct sunlight.more Show sample from book I was directly behind him.3 more direct → directly:close (without anything in between) Show general definition for direct (as in: directly above; or buy direct) without anything in between -- whether in time, space, or involvement
	2	top 100
direct#2straightforward I left them with direct instructions.more Show sample from book In many ways he was like America itself, big and strong, full of good intentions, a roll of fat jiggling at his belly, slow of foot but always plodding along, always there when you needed him, a believer in the virtues of simplicity and directness and hard labor.3 more direct → directness:the quality of being straightforward or clear Show general definition for direct (as in: gave a direct answer) straightforward -- often clear, open, or blunt in speech or behavior
	2	top 2000
positivecertain I'm positive I've seen her before.more Show sample from book "You sure?" "Positive."2 more Show general definition for positive (as in: I'm absolutely positive!) certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
	1	top 100
positive#2positive → positively:in a good or beneficial manner Lower interest rates positively affected home sales.†more Show sample from book It was what had brought them to the war in the first place, nothing positive, no dreams of glory or honor, just to avoid the blush of dishonor.2 more good Show general definition for positive (as in: had a positive effect) good or beneficial
	8	top 1000
rationration → rationed:restricted in the amount each person could have Gasoline was rationed during the 1970s oil embargo.more Show sample from book Henry Dobbins, who was a big man, carried extra rations; he was especially fond of canned peaches in heavy syrup over pound cake.7 more ration → rations:fixed portions of food Show general definition a fixed share of something, especially scarce goods like food or fuel; or to limit and distribute something in fixed shares
	8	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 "Wasted in the waste," he said. "... You got to admit, it's pure world-class irony."7 more an amusing coincidence 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.
	7
valorcourage (exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger -- especially in battle) She received a medal for valor.more Show sample from book He would've explained to his father that none of these decorations was for uncommon valor.†6 more exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger -- especially in battle Show general definition exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger -- especially in battle
	1	top 200
functionwork or operate I don't function well on less than six hours of sleep a night; and I do best on nine.more Show sample from book The kid couldn't function.1 more do what would normally be expected Show general definition for function (as in: can't function well without sleep) work or operate -- sometimes to work or operate normally or in a particular way
	1
function#2result Their success is a function of their teamwork and practice.more Show sample from book What they carried was partly a function of rank, partly of field specialty.1 more Show general definition for function (as in: oxygen is a function of altitude) saying one results from another; or saying that the amount of one thing is dependent upon the value of another. Show editor's word notes If x is a function of y, then x results from y; or the amount of x can be calculated based on the amount of y.
	8
polioa viral disease that causes paralysis Polio paralyzed and killed thousands of Americans a year before vaccination began in 1955.more Show sample from book Polio, maybe.†7 more viral disease that causes muscle paralysis Show general definition a viral disease that can cause paralysis and sometimes death
	2	top 1000
affluentwealthy The affluent neighborhood was lined with large houses, manicured lawns, and luxury cars.more Show sample from book The road was a sort of boundary between the affluent and the almost affluent, and to live on the lake side of the road was one of the few natural privileges in a town of the prairie-the difference between watching the sun set over cornfields or over water.† people who are, or the condition of being, wealthy Show general definition people who are, or the condition of being, wealthy
	3
impersonallacking warmth or personal connection I don't want to deal with an impersonal corporation.more Show sample from book He would look them in the eyes, keeping his chin level, and he would issue the new SOPs in a calm, impersonal tone of voice, a lieutenant's voice, leaving no room for argument or discussion.†2 more Show general definition not influenced by personal feelings -- often indicating a lack of warmth of personal connection
	3
rainforestdense, rainy forest with many species We visited the rainforest in Costa Rica.more Show sample from book In the darkness there was that weird tribal music, which seemed to come from the earth itself, from the deep rain forest, and a woman's voice rising up in a language beyond translation.†2 more Show general definition a dense forest with heavy rainfall and high biodiversity -- usually found in warm tropical regions Show editor's word notes Rainforests have layered growth (forest floor, understory, canopy, and emergent trees) and support an enormous variety of plants, insects, birds, and mammals. They help regulate climate by storing carbon and cycling water through evaporation and rainfall.
	1	top 500
replenishreplace what was used up The recent storms helped replenish the city's water supply.more Show sample from book Fed by neither streams nor springs, the lake was often filthy and algaed, relying on fickle prairie rains for replenishment.† replenish → replenishment:the process of replacing what was used up OR the process of restoring to a previous condition OR (more rarely) materials that replaced what was used up Show general definition replace what was used up; or restore to a previous condition