A Walk to Remember — Vocabulary
Nicholas Sparks
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
10 top 500
congregationpeople who worship together in the same building
It's a casual congregation where many people wander into services late.more
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Now, I knew I hadn't exactly been the most spiritual kid in the congregation, but I still found his behavior sort of odd.9 more
group of people who worship together in the same building
5 top 100
passagea short part of a longer written work
Each passage below is followed by a number of questions.more
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On February 14, Valentine's Day, Jamie picked out a passage from Corinthians that meant a lot to her.4 more
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.
3 top 100
primarilymainly
Did the author mention multiple companies primarily to demonstrate diversity of solutions or to show that interest in the industry is widespread?more
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My father was back in Washington, D.C., which made things a lot more fun around my house, primarily because I could sneak out the window again and head to the graveyard for my late night forays.†2 more
Show general definition mainly (most importantly)
5 top 2000
dejectedsad or disappointed
She looked dejected after learning she didn’t make the team.more
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"I don't have any money left," I said to her dejectedly.4 more
dejected → dejectedly:with low spirits
Show general definition feeling sad, disappointed, or low in spirits -- especially after a loss or setback
3 top 1000
nonethelessin spite of that (used to connect contrasting ideas)
Sometimes she gets angry and loses her temper, but I love her nonetheless.more
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Our conversations weren't exactly highbrow, I admit, but I enjoyed them nonetheless.†2 more
Show general definition in spite of that (Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nevertheless, all the same, still,  and however.)
2 top 200
optimisticexpecting the best
I'm optimistic that I'll get into a good college.more
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Her cheerfulness and optimism, even in times of sickness, was the most amazing thing I have ever witnessed.1 more
optimistic → optimism:tendency to expect and see the best in all things
Show general definition expecting the best; or focusing on the good part of things
2 top 500
earnestearnest → in earnest:in a serious manner
I began training in earnest the summer before high school.more
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I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it to the earnestness of others.1 more
earnest → earnestness:sincerity or seriousness
Show general definition characterized by sincere belief

or:

intensely or excessively serious or determined
4
irresponsiblereckless
It was irresponsible of her to drive after having several drinks.more
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He thinks you're irresponsible.†3 more
careless or reckless
Show general definition a lack of concern about consequences
3 top 1000
stiflesuppress (prevent something or decrease its development)
These excessive rules that stifle creativity.more
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I'd stifle the curses rising in my throat and bite out, "Just don't do it again."2 more
suppress
Show general definition for stifle (as in: stifling the urge) to suppress (prevent something or decrease its development) -- often political freedom
3 top 1000
wistfulwistful → wistfully:showing longing or unfulfilled desire
Sitting in her wheelchair, the old woman looked wistfully at the young dancers.more
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I could see them smiling wistfully at us.2 more
wistful → wistfully:with longing (unfulfilled desire)
3 top 1000
resentresent → resents:feels angry or unhappy (due to a sense of injustice)
A Canadian from Toronto, she resents it when she is mistaken for an American while traveling.more
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It does not take offense and is not resentful.†2 more
resent → resentful:full of anger or unhappiness at having to accept something not liked
Show general definition to feel anger or unhappiness about something seen as unjust or something that creates jealousy
2 top 1000
principalmost important
The principal idea is that decisions should be made by the people who are most knowledgeable about specific circumstances that impact the decision.more
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The next morning I went to the principal's office and added my name to the list of candidates.†1 more
most important; or person that is most important
Show general definition most important; or person who is most important
The exact meaning of principal can depend upon its context. For example:
  • "the principal idea" or "the principal performer" -- the most important
  • "the principal of the school" -- the person in charge
  • "a principal of a company" -- an owner or person with controlling authority
  • "the principal in a transaction" (as contrasted to the agent) -- the person on whose behalf an agent acts
2 top 2000
trepidationnervousness
She began her first day at the new school with some trepidation.more
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"Hello, Reverend," I said, swallowing my trepidation.1 more
fear
Show general definition nervousness (fear or anxiety about what will happen)
2 top 2000
proprietorowner
The proprietor of the bookstore greeted each customer warmly and offered personalized recommendations based on their interests.more
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Thinking that it was a mistake, I went out the next day, hauled a few dozen boxes, and chatted with another twenty proprietors while I collected cans and jars.†1 more
proprietor → proprietors:the owner of a business
Show general definition the owner of a business
1 top 500
monetarymoney
I don't do this job for monetary reward.more
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Ministering wasn't a profession where people made a lot of money, but of course ministers weren't in it for monetary gain, they were in it for the long haul, if you know what I mean.†
relating to or involving money
Show general definition relating to or involving money
1 top 500
lethargiclacking energy
I'm hoping a cold iced tea will help me get past this lethargic feeling.more
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Everyone was in motion, working off nervous energy, but she seemed strangely lethargic.
without energy
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raptfascinated
She watched with rapt attention.more
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...a few of the smaller kids were sitting on the adults' laps, their faces rapt with attention as they listened to 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.
showing deep interest and focus
Show general definition for rapt (as in: rapt attention) deeply interested and focused (on something) -- often while admiring
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pessimisticexpecting that things will turn out badly;
Despite the team's losing streak, the coach tried to remain optimistic, while the players grew increasingly pessimistic.more
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Despite my fevered rush to her house, my pessimistic side assumed that Carey would be the one who opened the door for me.
expectation that things will turn out badly
Show general definition expecting that things will turn out badly; or focusing on the bad part of things
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gistmain point(s)
Just tell me the gist of the matter.more
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She didn't say exactly those words, but I got the gist of it.
the main point(s)
Show general definition the main point(s) of a more detailed matter
1 top 2000
laxwithout strictness or strength
Lax safeguards contributed to the oil spill.more
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The minister before Hegbert ... took sort of a lax view about school dances as long as they were chaperoned, and because of that, they'd become a tradition of sorts.
relaxed; or lacking in strictness
Show general definition for lax (as in: lax supervision) relaxed; or lacking in strictness or strength