School's Out - Forever — Vocabulary
James Patterson
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	9	top 2000
adrenalineadrenaline → adrenaline junkie:“fight or flight” stimulating hormone She's an adrenaline junkie. She loves the rush that comes from roller coasters, skydiving, and big waves.more Show sample from book You want an adrenaline rush?†8 more adrenaline → adrenaline rush:the intense feeling that comes from an increase in the "fight or flight" hormone Show general definition “fight or flight” stimulating hormone secreted by the adrenal gland in response to stress (making the body feel excited and ready for action) Show editor's word notes Doctors are more likely to use the term epinephrine (possibly shortened to epi or EP). Adrenalin as a proper noun without the ending "e" is a trademark name for the same chemical.
	4	top 500
earnestearnest → in earnest:in a serious manner I began training in earnest the summer before high school.more Show sample from book A girl was with him, talking to him, looking earnest.†3 more sincere or serious Show general definition characterized by sincere belief or: intensely or excessively serious or determined
	3	top 200
coherentsensible and clear She presented a compelling and coherent plan.more Show sample from book I couldn't say anything to the flock, not in front of the EMT, and I was too upset, scared, and mad to come up with anything coherent anyway.†2 more sensible and clear; or describing parts as fitting together in a consistent or pleasing manner Show general definition sensible and clear; or describing parts as fitting together in a consistent or pleasing manner
	3	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 I looked indignant.†2 more angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong Show general definition angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
	5	top 2000
suburbanin an area located near the outer edge of a city where it isn't so crowded I want a suburban home with a white picket fence and a big yard.more Show sample from book Anne's huge Suburban held us all, and Fang got to recline most of the way.†4 more relating to a residential area located near the outer edge of a city where it isn't as crowded Show general definition relating to a residential area located near the outer edge of a city where it isn't as crowded
	2	top 100
varybe different Your mileage may vary.more Show sample from book The others nodded with varying levels of enthusiasm.†1 more vary → varying:differing; or changing Show general definition to be different, or to change Show editor's word notes Vary is often used to describe small differences or changes--especially about things of the same type. It would be more common to say "The weight of full-grown elephants varies depending upon diet and other factors," than to say "The weight of elephants varies from that of mice."
	3	top 500
virtualvirtual → virtually:almost completely She was virtually broke.more Show sample from book Gliders are virtually soundless.2 more virtual → virtually:to almost be so, but not so strictly speaking Show general definition for virtual (as in: virtual organization) to almost be something; or to effectively be something without entirely being it in a traditional sense
	4	top 1000
stoicunemotional She suffered quietly, courageously, with a stoic acceptance of her illness.more Show sample from book Angel didn't try to be stoic but climbed into my lap sobbing.†3 more seeming unaffected by pleasure, pain, or emotions Show general definition seeming unaffected by pleasure, pain, or emotions
	3	top 1000
sereneserene → serenely:calmly and peacefully While I lie awake worrying, she sleeps serenely.more Show sample from book I mean, there was no way I was going to wallow in serenity for more than two seconds, right?†2 more serene → serenity:untroubled calm Show general definition calm and untroubled
	3	top 1000
debrispieces of something that has been destroyed; or trash that is lying around She swept up the debris.more Show sample from book I couldn't see Ari anywhere, but I did see a couple pairs of feet sticking out from beneath piles of debris.†2 more Show general definition pieces of something that has been destroyed; or trash that is lying around
	2	top 200
optimisticexpecting the best I'm optimistic that I'll get into a good college.more Show sample from book I felt kind of optimistic.†1 more expecting the best; OR focusing on the good part of things Show general definition expecting the best; or focusing on the good part of things
	4	top 2000
anguishpain I felt unbearable anguish when my 4-year-old child died from brain cancer.more Show sample from book But his anguish after he'd discovered his dead son had sounded real.†3 more extreme pain, suffering, or distress Show general definition extreme pain, suffering, or distress (of body or mind)
	3	top 1000
wistfulwistful → wistfully:showing longing or unfulfilled desire Sitting in her wheelchair, the old woman looked wistfully at the young dancers.more Show sample from book "It's what we've all waited for," said Nudge, sounding wistful.†2 more
	3	top 1000
wryhumorous in an subtle, ironic, or cynical way The old woman gave a wry smile, as if she knew something that I didn't.more Show sample from book "Uh-huh," she said, giving me a wry look.†2 more humor Show general definition humor -- often understated, sarcastic, or ironic -- often expressed by twisting the face
	3	top 100
redundantmore than is needed or desired What is clarifying for one reader can be a redundant distraction for another.more Show sample from book Wouldn't that be redundant?†2 more more than is needed Show general definition more than is needed -- often something that is unnecessarily repeated or in technical usage: describing a secondary component designed to work if the primary component fails
	6
hybridcar powered by both electricity and gasoline She drives a hybrid that can use electricity or gasoline.more Show sample from book Erasers are human-lupine hybrids.5 more hybrid → hybrids:creatures made by combining different life forms Show general definition something made by combining different sources or types in various senses, including: of cars -- powered by both electricity and gasoline in biology -- a plant or animal produced by crossbreeding in linguistics -- a word that is composed of parts from different languages (e.g., monolingual has a Greek prefix and a Latin root)
	4
antiseptica substance used to clean wounds because it prevents infection by killing harmful micro-organisms such as bacteria I washed the wound and then used alcohol as an antiseptic.more Show sample from book The antiseptic smell inside made my stomach knot with nightmare memories of the School.†3 more a substance that prevents infection by killing harmful micro-organisms;… Show general definition a substance that prevents infection by killing harmful micro-organisms; or (as an adjective) describing something very clean and free of germs
	2
preparatorygetting ready The preparatory school has a reputation for sending students to top colleges.more Show sample from book "I look like prep school Barbie," Nudge complained, as she entered the kitchen.†1 more preparatory → prep school:done to get ready for something that will happen later Show general definition done to get ready for something that will happen later
	2
squattersquatter → squatters:people who live in an unoccupied place without the legal right She estimates that there are over a billion squatters in the world.more Show sample from book I motioned to Fang, but just as he started toward me, the two crackhead squatters lurched into the hall between us.†1 more Show general definition someone who lives in an unoccupied place without the legal right Show editor's word notes In most countries, if squatters are able to stay long enough, they will acquire legal title.
	1	top 200
appropriateappropriate → appropriated:took without asking The invading army appropriated the home to use as a local headquarters.more Show sample from book Nudge got onto the laptop we'd more or less appropriated from Anne. appropriate → appropriated:taken Show general definition for appropriate (as in: appropriate from their culture) to take without asking -- often without right