The Hunger Games — Vocabulary
Suzanne Collins
(Edited)

Book sample Uses ACT/SAT
175 top 2000
tributetribute → tributes:in this novel, people delivered for The Games who are payments from one government to another under threat of violence
In punishment for the uprising, each of the twelve districts must provide one girl and one boy, called tributes, to participate.p.18.7174 more
Show context notes Editor's notes: 

In this book, tributes refers to the teenagers forced to play in the Hunger Games. Outside of this novel, tribute typically has other meanings.

The general meaning upon which this book's usage is based refers to payment by one nation for protection by another; or payment extorted by gangsters on threat of violence.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The Second Barbary War ended the American practice of paying tribute to pirates along the north coast of Africa.more
payment to someone so they will not harm you
Show general definition for tribute (as in: demanded they pay tribute) payment by one nation for protection by another;
or: payment extorted by gangsters on threat of violence
6 top 100
assumeassume → assumes:believes (without knowing for sure)
It should be sending off smoke for a few more hours, although I doubt Cato assumes anything at this point.p.322.96 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
I assume she was at school today, but I don't remember actually seeing her.more
believe (without knowing for sure)
Show general definition for assume (as in: I assume it's true) to accept something as true without proof
1 top 100
assume#2assume → assumes:takes on or adopts
I try to capture the calm demeanor my mother assumes when handling particularly bad cases.p.256.46 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
She assumed the identify of her victim until the body was found.more
assume → assumed:took on (or adopted)
Show general definition for assume (as in: She assumed a false identity) to take on (adopt, wear, strike a pose or appearance of) -- often while pretending or disguising
12 top 2000
venompoison
She's so small, it wouldn't take much venom to do her in.p.196.511 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The rattlesnake's venom is deadly.more
Show general definition for venom (as in: snake venom) poison created by some insects and animals such as snakes
11 top 2000
camouflagecamouflage → camouflaged:hidden (by blending in with surroundings)
As we head up alongside the stream, we pass the place where I found Peeta camouflaged in the weeds and mud.p.314.110 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The troops camouflaged themselves before they went into enemy territory.more
camouflage → camouflaged:made hard to see (in this case, probably by wearing colors or perhaps foliage to blend in)
Show general definition hiding something by making it blend in with its surroundings

or:

hiding the truth

or:

something that hides or deceives
1 top 2000
attributeattribute → attributes:characteristics
Up close, I'm sure their more menacing attributes will be revealed.p.331.31 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The spreadsheet has a column to describe the breed of dog and then ten additional columns to indicate attributes of the breeds. For example, the second column has the average full-grown weight.more
Show general definition for attribute (as in: It is an attribute of...) a characteristic or feature (of something or someone)
1 top 100
attribute#2attribute → attributed:credited (pointed to as the cause of)
Perhaps some of the merchants were a little generous in their trades, but I always attributed that to their long-standing relationship with my father.p.91.61 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
She attributed this quotation to Shakespeare.more
attribute → attributed:credited (pointed to as the source of)
Show general definition for attribute (as in: I attribute it to...) to credit (a source for something)
in two typical senses:
  • "I attribute it to her work." -- to say who or what made something happen
  • "Remember to attribute any quotations in your paper." -- indicate the source of a quotation or idea
5 top 2000
dehydrateddehydrated → dehydrating:suffering from excessive loss of water from the body
It's only been a day and I'm dehydrating fast.p.165.74 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
I didn't drink enough water while hiking and became dehydrated.more
dried out (didn't have enough water in the body)
Show general definition suffering from excessive loss of water from the body

or:

dried and/or preserved by removing natural moisture
9 top 2000
directwithout anything in between
After purifying half a pot of water, I place it in direct sunlight and add several egg-size hot stones to the water.p.266.915 more
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This flower does best in direct sunlight.more
without intervention from anything (in this case, not sun that is partially blocked or reflected)
Show general definition for direct (as in: directly above; or buy direct) without anything in between -- whether in time, space, or involvement
1 top 100
direct#2straightforward (clear and uncomplicated)
I'm not sure about Foxface since direct confrontation isn't her style or her forte.p.279.115 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
I left them with direct instructions.more
straightforward
Show general definition for direct (as in: gave a direct answer) straightforward -- often clear, open, or blunt in speech or behavior
6 top 100
direct#3direct → directed:sent
Latecomers are directed to the adjacent streets, where they can watch the event on screens as it's televised live by the state.p.17.615 more
Show context notes In this context, adjacent is a synonym for nearby.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
On the SAT test, some questions direct you to look at an underlined or numbered portion of a passage.more
instruct
Show general definition for direct (as in: direct a question; or direct a film) to guide, aim, or manage -- such as actions, attention, speech, a project or company
1 top 10
contrastdifference
In stark contrast to two nights ago, when I felt Peeta was a million miles away, I'm struck by his immediacy now.p.298.9
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The contrast in their leadership styles is striking. Olivia motivated people with fear. Isabella motivated them with praise.more
notable difference
Show general definition for contrast (as in: there is a contrast) a difference -- especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
1 top 100
reviserevise → revision:change
"The earlier revision has been revoked. Closer examination of the rule book has disclosed that only one winner may be allowed," he says.p.342.6
Show context notes In this context, revoked is a synonym for cancelled or reversed.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
How can you revise that paragraph to improve the expression of ideas?more
improve (change)
Show general definition to change (and hopefully improve) -- most frequently to improve a written document, but it can be any intentional change such as a change in an estimated amount, a plan, or a series of procedures
3 top 200
traceindication that they were ever there
Not only are the scars from the arena gone, but those accumulated over years of hunting have vanished without a trace.p.351.36 more
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There was not a trace of the defendant's DNA at the crime scene.more
a tiny quantity or indication
Show general definition for trace (as in: found a trace of) a small quantity; or any indication or evidence of
The exact meaning of this sense of trace depends upon its context. For example:
  • a small indication that something was present -- as in "The plane disappeared somewhere over the Pacific Ocean without leaving a trace."
  • a very small amount of something -- as in "The blood test showed a trace of steroids."
  • any evidence of something -- as in "We did not find a trace of the gene."
1 top 100
trace#2find or follow
But that doesn't prevent me from feeling the sharp stab of pain as the needle inserts the metal tracking device deep under the skin on the inside of my forearm. Now the Gamemakers will always be able to trace my whereabouts in the arena.p.144.16 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
Early cat domestication is traced back to China over 5,000 years ago.more
trace → traced:found through investigation
Show general definition for trace (as in: trace the origin or development) to find, search, research, or keep track of
This sense of trace usually has to do with information. It's specific meaning depends on its context. For example:
to find or search for something through investigation -- often the origin of something:
  • "The police traced the call." -- found out where it originated
  • "We are tracing the lost luggage" -- searching for
  • "Can you trace the problem to its source?" -- find through investigation
  • "She traced her family history to discover that her great-grandmother came to the United States from Lithuania when the Nazis occupied it." -- discovered something through investigation
to research or report on the development of something
  • "She traced the history of the automobile in her paper." -- researched the development of something
  • "Her presentation traced recent progress in alternative energy solutions." -- reported on
to monitor or keep track of the progress or development of something
  • "She traces the progress of at-risk students." -- monitors information
  • "I used binoculars to trace her progress up the mountain." -- monitor, follow, or track
1 top 2000
palpablevery apparent
"Well, let me know when you work it out," he says, and the pain in his voice is palpable.p.373.1
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The tension in the room was palpable.more
substantial
Show general definition very apparent (so strong, it almost seems to take a material form that can be touched)
Show editor's word notes "Palpable" is frequently used to describe the intensity of an emotion shared between people who can see each other. The implication is that the emotion is so strong, it almost takes a material form that can be touched.
15 top 500
mentorprovide guidance to someone less experienced
It must be hell to mentor two kids and then watch them die.p.306.814 more
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Each new employee is matched with a mentor.more
someone who guides and advises another who is less experienced
Show general definition someone who guides and advises another who is less experienced; or the act of providing such guidance
2 top 500
sustainsustain → sustaining:supporting
That the Career Tributes who survive the bloodbath will divide up most of these life-sustaining spoils.p.149.22 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
We sustained ourselves on bread and water.more
sustain → sustained:supported
Show general definition for sustain (as in: sustained by her faith) provide support or necessities
1 top 100
sustain#2sustain → sustained:maintained or continued
The playful romance we had sustained in the cave has disappeared out in the open, under the hot sun, with the threat of Cato looming over us.p.322.62 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
For twenty years, the company has sustained its leading position in creating special effects for films.more
sustain → sustained:maintained through time
Show general definition for sustain (as in: sustained through the ages) to continue through time
4
highlighthighlight → highlights:best parts
During the highlights, they periodically show the winner's reaction up on a box in the corner of the screen.p.362.44 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
Did you watch the video highlights?more
Show general definition for highlight (as in: highlights of the year) something that stands out