The Last Lecture — Vocabulary
Randy Pausch
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	15	top 100
focusconcentrate I find that studying in the library helps me to focus.more Show sample from book I'd say that to students as a reminder not to focus on little issues, while ignoring the major ones.15 more 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
	1	top 100
focus#2area where attention is concentrated Since we're running out of time, let's narrow our focus to just what needs to be done tomorrow.more Show sample from book In fact, over time, my bedroom became the focal point of her house tour when anyone came to visit.15 more focus → focal:place where attention is concentrated Show general definition for focus (as in: The focus of our study is...) where attention is concentrated or directed
	11	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 We were in the basket of the balloon, and the odds of the basket hitting the train were small. However, there was certainly a risk that the giant balloon itself (called "the envelope") would fall onto the tracks when we hit the ground.11 more though (used to connect contrasting ideas) 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#2in whatever way However we do it, someone is going to be unhappy.more Show sample from book However they wanted to throw those lights on the tree was fine by me.11 more Show general definition for however (as in: However you do it, get it done!) in whatever way
	2	top 100
positivepositive → positively:in a good or beneficial manner Lower interest rates positively affected home sales.†more Show sample from book We recognized that there were things we could do that might help the outcome in positive ways…and we did them.7 more good or beneficial Show general definition for positive (as in: had a positive effect) good or beneficial
	6
positive#2optimistic With a positive attitude and some effort, I'm sure we can make this work.more Show sample from book It pains him to see patients who are having a tough day healthwise and assume it's because they weren't positive enough.7 more optimistic (focusing on good things) Show general definition for positive (as in: a positive attitude) optimistic (expecting or focusing on good things); or agreeable
	15	top 200
optimisticexpecting the best I'm optimistic that I'll get into a good college.more Show sample from book At the time, I already had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but I was optimistic.†14 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
	9	top 200
enableenable → enables:makes possible The test enables earlier identification of autism.more Show sample from book IV — ENABLING THE DREAMS OF OTHERS†8 more enable → enabling:making possible Show general definition to make possible in various senses, including: to give someone the ability, knowledge, or authority to do something -- as in "The study will enable an informed discussion." to activate a computer system for use -- as in "You can enable the feature in the Settings Page." to permit someone to repeat bad behavior, so they reinforce the bad pattern -- as in "I don't want to enable her drug addiction."
	8	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 Each day, I ride my bike around my neighborhood, getting exercise crucial for my health.†7 more Show general definition very important or necessary -- often because it determines how something else will turn out
	11	top 2000
diagnoseidentify Did the doctor diagnose the problem?more Show sample from book She knew that my cancer diagnosis was grim.10 more diagnose → diagnosis:identification (as in identifying an illness) Show general definition determine or identify the nature of a problem or an illness
	2	top 100
perspectiveway of seeing or thinking about things A child who was abused with have a different perspective of family life than one raised in a nurturing home.more Show sample from book I had little interest in giving a discourse on, say, my insights into how I coped with the disease, or how it gave me new perspectives.2 more perspective → perspectives:ways of seeing or thinking about things Show general definition for perspective (as in: Look at it from her perspective) a particular way of seeing or thinking about things
	1	top 100
perspective#2a sensible view of a situation She loses perspective and continually wants to change the plan in a manner that depends on the most recent complaint.more Show sample from book And just to keep things in perspective, from the "Some-Things-Never-Change" department, an unrequited crush from high school wrote to wish me well and gently reminded me why I was way too nerdy for her back then (also letting slip that she'd gone on to marry a real doctor).2 more Show general definition for perspective (as in: Keep it in perspective) a sensible view of a situation that considers its different parts in a balanced way
	6	top 500
mentorsomeone who guides and advises another who is less experienced Each new employee is matched with a mentor.more Show sample from book I thought hard about how I defined myself: as a teacher, a computer scientist, a husband, a father, a son, a friend, a brother, a mentor to my students.†5 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
	4	top 500
legacya gift left in a will She left her vacation home as a legacy for her family.more Show sample from book If we had to vanish tomorrow, what would we want as our legacy?3 more something left behind Show general definition coming from the past or left to the future in various senses including: in law -- a gift given through a will -- "She left a legacy of $10,000 to her niece." of a situation -- resulting from the past -- "Today's debt problem is a legacy of profligate spending by prior administrations." of culture -- a practice passed from one generation to the next -- "The city has along legacy of bribes and corruption." of technology -- something that still uses old technology -- "We're using a legacy software that only the old-timers know how to update." of a member or potential member of an organization -- the child of a previous member -- "She is a legacy candidate."
	11
tenurethe right to permanent employment After publishing her second influential book, the professor was granted tenure, ensuring her job security at the university.more Show sample from book Even as a tenured professor who could afford something better, I lived in a $450-a-month attic apartment with a fire-escape walkup.10 more tenure → tenured:successful (having been granted the right to keep a job as long as desired) Show general definition for tenure (as in: she was granted tenure) right to keep a job as long as desired -- often earned by professors after years of service
	2	top 100
analyticallogical and systematic in seeking understanding She has an analytical mind.more Show sample from book She may diplomatically tell them some of the things that made me exasperating; my overly analytical approach to life, my insistence (too often) that I know best.†1 more relating to logical examination to improve understanding Show general definition relating to logical and systematic examination of something to better understand it -- often implying some kind of quantitative analysis
	2	top 200
pragmaticpractical She is a pragmatic problem solver.more Show sample from book Maybe it was a symbol of the balance in my life between aspiration and pragmatism.1 more pragmatic → pragmatism:concern with practical matters Show general definition concerned with practical matters -- especially where quick results and/or practical experience triumph over theory
	2	top 500
frugalmoney-saving A good salary and frugal spending habits led to a large bank account.more Show sample from book My parents were frugal.1 more avoided waste Show general definition avoiding waste -- typically being careful not to spend much money
	3
parodya humorous, exaggerated imitation of somebody's style Did you see Saturday Night Live's parody of people in a fitness class?more Show sample from book "Hip" people love parodies.2 more parody → parodies:humorous, exaggerated imitations of things done to mock or make fun of them Show general definition a humorous, exaggerated imitation of somebody's style or: a very poor imitation of somebody's style
	1	top 100
hypothesisa seemingly reasonable, but unproven, idea The study will test the hypothesis that a good marriage is more important than a higher income when measuring happiness.more Show sample from book And so I asked lots of data-seeking questions, and found myself hypothesizing along with my doctors. hypothesis → hypothesizing:proposing reasonable, but unproven, ideas Show context notes The suffix "-ize" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize. Show general definition for hypothesis (as in: a study to test her hypothesis) a seemingly reasonable, but unproven idea or explanation based upon known facts Show editor's word notes In casual conversation, theory is a synonym for hypothesis, but a scientist would say that a hypothesis needs to pass rigorous tests before it could be accepted as a theory.