The Notebook — Vocabulary
Nicholas Sparks
(Auto-generated)

Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
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focusconcentrate
I find that studying in the library helps me to focus.more
Show sample from book
When he looked at it, and he often did late in the evening, he could see desire in the colors and the lines, and if he focused carefully, he could imagine what she had been thinking with every stroke.2 more
focus → focused:concentrated
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
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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 was two years older than she was, and as she drove along this roadway-in-time, he slowly came into focus once again.2 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
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dominatecontrol
Democrats dominate the committee.more
Show sample from book
As far as he could tell, man had always been aggressive, always striving to dominate, trying to control the world and everything in it.3 more
to control or be most powerful
Show general definition to control; or to be most influential, powerful, abundant, important, or conspicuous
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demonstratedemonstrate → demonstrated:showed
The salesperson demonstrated features of both phones so I could compare them.more
Show sample from book
"No. Just grab 'em like this," he said, demonstrating, and she smiled.1 more
demonstrate → demonstrating:showing (how something is done)
Show general definition for demonstrate (as in: It demonstrates my point.) to show
The exact meaning of this sense of demonstrate can depend upon its context. For example:
  • "I will demonstrate how to throw a Frisbee." -- show how to do something
  • "I will demonstrate how much quicker the new computer is than the old one." -- show how something works
  • "Her questioned demonstrated that she was listening and thinking deeply about what was said." -- showed to be true or proved
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evaluateevaluate → evaluating:thinking carefully and making a judgment about
I'm evaluating colleges and deciding which I want to apply to.more
Show sample from book
When she was finished she stepped back and evaluated herself.†1 more
evaluate → evaluated:thought carefully and made a judgment about
Show general definition to think carefully and make a judgment about something
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distinctdifferent
Martinez and his colleagues identified 21 distinct emotions made by the human face.more
Show sample from book
She could smell him as he stood next to her—clean, familiar, distinctive—and felt his arm brush against her as he leaned over and reached inside.†1 more
distinct → distinctive:clear, easily noticed, and/or identifiable as different or separate -- sometimes to indicate a difference that is excellent
Show general definition clear, easily noticed, and/or identifiable as different or separate
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appropriatesuitable (fitting) for a particular situation
These clothes aren't appropriate for work.more
Show sample from book
...though it didn't look quite as nice as the first one, it conveyed an image she thought would be more appropriate.1 more
suitable (fitting) for the situation
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inevitablecertain to happen
It is as inevitable as death and taxes.more
Show sample from book
I know the evening is coming to an end, and there is nothing I can do to stop the inevitable.1 more
what is certain to happen
Show general definition certain to happen (even if one tried to prevent it)
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reveredeeply respect and admire
Many fans revere Michael Jordan as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.more
Show sample from book
And sometimes in the evenings I would see her holding them, almost reverently, as if they offered the secret of life itself.1 more
revere → reverently:with feelings of deep respect and admiration
Show general definition regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration -- sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
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intrigueintrigue → intrigued:interested, curious, or fascinated
She was intrigued by his surprising comment.more
Show sample from book
He is intrigued by us and the relationship we have.1 more
intrigue → intrigued:interested
Show general definition for intrigue (as in: she was intrigued) cause to be interested, curious, or fascinated
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waverwaver → wavered:faltered (stopped being strong)
Through good times and bad her love for him has never wavered.more
Show sample from book
I knew then we would always be together, even though I wavered the following day.†1 more
waver → wavered:was unsure or weak; or moved back and forth
Show general definition to move back and forth (shake or quiver)

or:

to change, be unsure, or weak
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ponderthink about
The question the audience is left to ponder is...more
Show sample from book
"It's an unusual request," he said, pondering the situation.1 more
ponder → pondering:thinking deeply or carefully about
Show general definition to think deeply or carefully about something
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coincidecoincide → coincided:happened at the same time
The two events coincidedmore
Show sample from book
Time passes, and gradually our breathing begins to coincide just as it did this morning.1 more
correspond
Show general definition to be similar -- especially to happen at the same time or place
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evokeevoke → evoked:aroused
Her story evoked sympathy.more
Show sample from book
Lon could not evoke these feelings in her.1 more
arouse
Show general definition to call forth or cause -- typically to arouse an emotion or bring a memory to mind
4
sensualrelating to pleasing the body's senses
The novel described the scene with sensual detail, focusing on textures and scents.more
Show sample from book
"Talk to me," she finally said, her voice sensual.3 more
pleasing to the body's senses (in contrast to the intellect)
Show general definition relating to pleasing the body's senses (in contrast to the intellect)
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aspireaspire → aspiring:hoping to be successful
The aspiring scientist set her sights on curing cancer, a goal that would require years of hard work and dedication.more
Show sample from book
But she knew he wouldn't agree; like the aspiring politician he was, he loved being the center of attention.†1 more
Show general definition to hope to be successful -- especially in a career
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compulsionurge, desire, or need
She has a deep compulsion to make herself the center of attention.more
Show sample from book
A compulsion had driven her here, and for the first time in three weeks the feeling was gone.1 more
a strong (possibly uncontrollable) urge to do something
Show general definition a strong (possibly uncontrollable) urge to do something; or a force or a requirement that forces an action
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passagea short part of a longer written work
Each passage below is followed by a number of questions.more
Show sample from book
And he did, reciting distant passages, toasting the night.
passage → passages:short parts of longer written works
Show general definition for passage (as in: In lines 1-9 of the passage...) a short part of a longer written work
Show editor's word notes This meaning of passage is commonly seen on standardized tests like the SAT and ACT.
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twilightthe light from the sky in the time of day between daylight and darkness (just after sunset or just before sunrise)
It is a beautiful picture taken in twilight.more
Show sample from book
He saw a family of turtles resting on a partially submerged log and watched as a heron broke for flight, skimming just above the water before vanishing into the silver twilight that preceded sunrise.3 more
light from the sky between daylight and darkness
Show general definition for twilight (as in: pink clouds in a twilight sky) the time of day between daylight and darkness (just after sunset or just before sunrise); or the light from the sky at that time
1
twilight#2a condition of decline following successes
He ruled in the twilight of the empire.more
Show sample from book
I have no time for worry in this twilight of my life.3 more
time of decline towards the end