Native Speaker — Vocabulary
Chang-rae Lee
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	3	top 1000
interprettranslate Can she interpret Spanish to English for us?more Show sample from book Bring an interpreter or phrase book.†3 more interpret → interpreter:someone who translates language Show general definition for interpret (as in: interpret Spanish to English) to translate someone’s words into spoken words of another language while they are speaking
	5	top 2000
ironywhen what happens is very different than what might be expected She didn't see the irony in acting like the mother she detested.more Show sample from book Ironically, these were all the things that my father forever wanted me to consider, and to what as a teenager I had disingenuously cried, "What about love?"6 more Show general definition for irony (as in: situational irony) when what happens is very different than what might be expected; or when things are together that seem like they don't belong together -- especially when amusing or an entertaining coincidence Show editor's word notes This is sometimes referred to as "situational irony." The term is especially appropriate when actions have consequences opposite to those intended. The expression ironic smile, generally references someone smiling at situational irony. All forms of irony involve the perception that things are not what they might seem.
	2	top 2000
irony#2irony → ironic:saying one thing, while meaning the opposite She was being ironic when she said she couldn't wait to see you again.more Show sample from book When he left us she bid him goodbye using his surname, with neither irony nor derision.6 more indicating one thing while meaning something else Show general definition for irony (as in: verbal irony) saying one thing, while meaning the opposite or something else -- usually as humor or sarcasm Show editor's word notes This is sometimes referred to as "verbal irony." Typically, the speaker says one thing but means the opposite, and the tone of voice or the context of the situation makes the true, contradictory meaning clear. All forms of irony involve the perception that things are not what they might seem.
	7	top 1000
narrativeStory He titled his autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.more Show sample from book But Hoagland would have wanted me to continue pushing him, to extend the evening's narrative to its logical and fitting end.†6 more story Show general definition for narrative (as in: Narrative of the Life of...) a story; or related to a story
	7	top 2000
boycottrefusal to buy Chavez led a nationwide boycott of table grapes.more Show sample from book They spoke in veiled attacks about his mediation of talks surrounding the black boycotts of Korean businesses across the city.†6 more boycott → boycotts:to refuse to buy things (from someone)… Show general definition to refuse to buy things (from someone); or to refuse to participate in an activity (with someone) in order to express disapproval
	6	top 1000
cynicalsomeone who expects the worst The experience made her overly cynical.more Show sample from book I'm not being cynical.†5 more someone who expects the worst -- especially of people Show general definition someone who expects the worst -- especially of people (such as expecting them to be selfish and lie)
	4	top 200
eminentrespected and well-known She studied under an eminent scientist who had won multiple international awards.more Show sample from book "Eminently," he answered, smiling.†3 more eminent → eminently:with high standing Show general definition famous, respected, or important within a particular field or profession
	4	top 200
malicemalice → malicious:evil; or made with the intent to make others suffer I am not interested in hearing malicious gossip.more Show sample from book I imagined that something deeply horrible had happened to her when she was young, some nameless pain, something brutal, that a malicious man had taught her fear and sadness and she had had to leave her life and family because of it.†3 more malice → malicious:the intention or desire to see others suffer Show general definition the intention or desire to see others suffer
	5	top 1000
heedheed → heedlessness:pay close attention to Heed the advice of those who have been there before.more Show context notes The suffix "-lessness" in heedlessness means in a state without. This is the same pattern you see in words like fearlessness, powerlessness, and harmlessness. Show sample from book I was heeding you.†4 more heed → heeding:paying close attention to; or doing what is suggested Show general definition pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested -- especially with regard to a warning or other advice
	5	top 1000
quellsuppress or stop The government declared a state of emergency in an attempt to quell political unrest.more Show sample from book And leaving right then would also serve to quell any suspicions, at least at the level we were working.†4 more suppress or stop completely Show general definition suppress or stop completely
	5	top 1000
sereneserene → serenely:calmly and peacefully While I lie awake worrying, she sleeps serenely.more Show sample from book My mask of serenity and...4 more serene → serenity:untroubled calmness Show general definition calm and untroubled
	4	top 500
venerablerespected They looked to the venerable old woman for advice.more Show sample from book It made him feel like an old-timer, venerable.†3 more respected (worthy of respect) -- typically because of age or position Show general definition respected (worthy of respect) -- typically because of age or position
	4	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 Inconsistencies began to arise in crucial details, all of which I inexplicably confused and alternated.†3 more Show general definition very important or necessary -- often because it determines how something else will turn out
	2	top 100
reviseimprove (change) How can you revise that paragraph to improve the expression of ideas?more Show sample from book Normally I would have ceased matters temporarily, retreated to Westchester to reiterate and revise.†1 more 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
	5
sundryof various kinds We sell many and sundry items.more Show sample from book When we met him at one of his stores he always had a sundry basket of treats for her, trifles from his shelves, bars of dark chocolate, exotic tropical fruits, tissue-wrapped biscotti.†4 more various Show general definition various; or of various kinds
	4	top 2000
stridentunpleasantly forceful The strident tone of the politician’s speech upset half of the audience.more Show sample from book "My good friend Henry," he said stridently, the strangeness of that notion hanging there for us.†3 more strident → stridently:unpleasantly forceful when expressing opinions; OR loud and harsh Show general definition unpleasantly forceful when expressing opinions; or loud and harsh
	2	top 500
camaraderieclose friendship amongst a group of people Basketball encourages teamwork and camaraderie.more Show sample from book Hoagland, the human black cloud, had noticed this too, mentioned it sometimes as indicative of our good camaraderie.†1 more
	3
idioman expression whose meaning cannot be inferred from the meanings of the words that make it up Having just arrived from Egypt, I did not understand what she meant by the idiom, "Don't cut corners."more Show sample from book She was drawing up idioms in the list, visions of me in the whitest raw light, instant snapshots of the difficult truths native to our time together.†2 more idiom → idioms:a way of putting things that is characteristic of a specific group of people Show general definition a way of putting things that is characteristic of a specific group of people Show editor's word notes An idiom typically refers to an expression whose meaning cannot be inferred from the meanings of the words that make it up (as in "feeling under the weather"). It can also refer to a particular artistic style.
	3
resplendentbeautiful or impressive She looks resplendent in her uniform.more Show sample from book I pressed him on it and learned only that the emperor Diocletian had built a resplendent palace on the shores of the Adriatic, for his retirement, of all things, as if he might escape the snarls of his Rome.†2 more beautiful or splendid Show general definition beautiful, magnificent, or impressive
	2
hubrisexcessive pride and confidence It is another example of hubris preceding a fall.more Show sample from book Its adherents know no hubris.†1 more excessive pride, arrogance, or confidence Show general definition excessive pride, arrogance, or confidence Show editor's word notes Hubris is especially used to indicate that one will suffer for ignoring convention.