Dreamland — Vocabulary
Sarah Dessen
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	12	top 100
howeverdespite that (a transition word use to connect contrasting ideas) Most college application deadlines are in January and February. However, early admission deadlines are around November and some scholarships require even earlier deadlines.more Show sample from book With that added element, however, it was all I could do to sit down and remain calm as all eyes stayed on me.†12 more a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc. Show general definition for however (as in: However, complications may...) though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas) Show editor's word notes Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but.
	1	top 2000
however#2no matter how (how much/how hard/how long…) However hard she tried, she couldn't do it.more Show sample from book When we had sex, especially, I couldn't push it out of my mind, however badly I wanted to.12 more regardless of how Show general definition for however (as in: However much she tried...) to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)
	1	top 200
subtleunderstated (so as not to draw attention to itself) Her warning was subtle, but unmistakable.more Show sample from book "Ouch," I said, trying to be subtle in taking a glance at my watch: five minutes had passed.2 more understated (not obvious so it wouldn't be noticed) Show general definition for subtle (as in: a subtle shade of blue) understated so as not to draw excess attention
	2	top 200
subtle#2making use of slight distinctions She used subtle reasoning to expose the absurdity of his argument.more Show sample from book I'd only known Rogerson for three months, but I could recognize instantly the subtle signs of him growing irritated:2 more slightly noticeable 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
	4	top 500
trivialunimportant We're in agreement on the main issues. We just have some trivial details to work out.more Show sample from book It was a Friday night, during my parents' and Boo and Stewart's weekly Trivial Pursuit war.†3 more Show general definition of little importance -- sometimes more specifically describing a challenge as easy and uninteresting
	3	top 200
subsequentfollowing Her guess was proven right by subsequent developments.more Show sample from book We'd been working on a big halftime number for a couple of weeks that involved not only a pyramid but some heavy-duty dancing, a can-can line, and a row of subsequent backflips.†2 more following something else Show general definition following something else
	4	top 1000
interveneget involved They do not like America to intervene in the Middle East.more Show sample from book "There was a vote today, and everyone but me was in favor of a confrontation about your level of serious commitment to the school and the squad." ... A cheerleading intervention. Just what I needed.3 more intervene → intervention:unwelcome involvement Show general definition for intervene (as in: intervened in the war) the process of getting involved to influence an outcome The exact meaning of intervention can depend upon its context. For example: "intervention program for at-risk youth" -- a process of trying to influence the direction of someone's life "medical intervention" -- action taken to improve a medical outcome "military intervention" -- interference by a government in affairs of another government (in this case to interfere militarily) "had a family intervention" -- an organized meeting of family members to encourage someone (who is often surprised) to recognize and work at solving a problem such as substance abuse
	3	top 500
crucialvery important Doing well on the ACT is crucial to getting into the college I want to attend.more Show sample from book I'd forgotten my cheerleading sweater again, just as I was always forgetting something crucial-regulation socks, matching ponytail holders, pom-poms.†2 more Show general definition very important or necessary -- often because it determines how something else will turn out
	3	top 500
exasperatedgreatly annoyed She was exasperated by his teasing.more Show sample from book "The check bounced last week." "I thought we had it covered." "We would have if you hadn't taken the money out," she said, exasperated.2 more Show general definition greatly annoyed
	3	top 500
contemplatethink deeply about After the meeting, she needed some time alone to contemplate her next move.more Show sample from book Rogerson asked me, taking one last glance back as if still contemplating finishing what Mike had started.†2 more contemplate → contemplating:consider or ponder Show general definition consider or ponder
	2	top 500
attaingain or reach something with effort She was the first woman to attain the rank of general.more Show sample from book Mike Evans asked me, and without even really realizing it, I pulled out from under his arm, one quick movement, costing him all the progress he'd slowly attained in the last thirty minutes.†1 more attain → attained:gained or reached something with effort Show general definition to gain or reach something with effort
	3	top 2000
ecstaticecstatic → ecstatically:with feelings of intense happiness They are ecstatically in love.more Show sample from book My parents were ecstatic and threw a party to celebrate.2 more feeling intense happiness and excitement Show general definition feeling intense happiness and excitement (as when in a state of ecstasy)
	3	top 1000
obliviousunaware of She is oblivious to the dangers.more Show sample from book I hated the girl I saw there, and she didn't even care, didn't know, just staring out, oblivious.2 more unaware
	2	top 500
waverwaver → wavered:faltered (stopped being strong) Through good times and bad her love for him has never wavered.more Show sample from book In some of these scenarios, he was angry with me, or so nice that I felt my strength wavering, if only slightly.†1 more waver → wavering:moving back and forth; or being unsure or weak Show general definition to move back and forth (shake or quiver) or: to change, be unsure, or weak
	8
triviafacts or details that are generally considered unimportant The game show places a premium on remembering trivia.†more Show sample from book It was as if they were drunk on trivia, and every Friday was a bender.†7 more Show general definition facts or details that are generally considered unimportant
	3
mosaicart consisting of a design made of small pieces of colored stone or glass The museum preserved a beautiful mosaic floor.more Show sample from book Then again, and again, tearing the pieces down until they grew smaller and smaller, tiny bits like the stones of a crazy mosaic.2 more art consisting of a design made of many pieces of colored material such as stone or tile Show general definition art consisting of a design made of many pieces of colored material such as stone or tile or more rarely: anything made of many differing parts of equal importance, but varying appearance
	2
thwartprevent someone from doing what they want to It seemed the world was out to thwart my plan to move to Colorado.more Show sample from book It was the one reminder of Cass's thwarted college plans that she hadn't taken down yet.†1 more thwart → thwarted:to prevent someone from doing what they want to do;… Show general definition for thwart (as in: thwarted her plans) to prevent someone from doing what they want to do; or (less commonly) to oppose someone's efforts
	1	top 200
critiqueanalyze and judge Please critique the performance.more Show sample from book We'd sit in the good, bright fight of the solarium, critiquing technique and squinting over contact sheets.† critique → critiquing:an examination and judgment of something Show general definition an examination and judgment of something
	1	top 200
facilitatefacilitate → facilitates:makes easier The new headquarters facilitates inter-department communication.more Show sample from book He was the ultimate facilitator, but this emotional thing, with the two of us one-on-one, was new to him.† facilitate → facilitator:someone from outside a group, who helps the group to discuss issues and find solutions Show general definition make easier
	1	top 500
anecdoteanecdote → anecdotes:short true stories Her autobiography is sprinkled with amusing anecdotes.more Show sample from book We traded stupid family anecdotes, like the time when Cass almost burned down the house with her Easy-Bake Oven, or when my father drank a huge glass of clam juice, thinking it was lemonade. anecdote → anecdotes:short, true stories Show general definition a short story that is true -- often told for amusement or to make a point