Typical American — Vocabulary
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	12	top 2000
communisman economic system that abolishes private ownership of property with the goal of a classless society A challenge with communism is that it is harder to know how to allocate capital when prices are subjective rather than the product of individual valuations.†more Show sample from book He hoped that the Communists would prove unable to hold the country.11 more communism → communists:people who support an economic system that abolishes private ownership of property with the goal of a classless society
	9	top 2000
mortgageproperty loan We are the proud owners of a new home and a $100,000 mortgage.more Show sample from book A mortgage is a big commitment.8 more a real estate loan; or pledging something for a loan Show general definition a real estate loan; or to offer real estate as collateral for a loan (collateral is something that has to be given to the lender if the loan isn't paid as agreed)
	1	top 1000
resignationa document expressing that someone is quitting a job I know you're unhappy there, but don't submit your resignation until you find a better job.more Show sample from book Ralph started another list, What It Would Mean If Old Chao Were To Have To Resign In Shame.2 more resignation → resign:to quit a job or position Show general definition for resignation (as in: submitted her resignation) to quit -- especially a job or position; or a document expressing such an act
	2	top 1000
resignation#2(accepted) something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils It wasn't her first choice, but she accepted it with resignation.more Show sample from book It was as if, once she'd resigned herself to her new world, something had taken her over — a drive to make it hers.2 more resignation → resigned:accepted something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils Show general definition for resignation (as in: accepted it with resignation) acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
	4	top 100
precedeprecede → preceded:were before in time Stone tools preceded bronze tools.more Show sample from book Who could believe, though, that in a few months she'd be like Janis, distinctly preceded wherever she went?†3 more precede → preceded:went or was before Show general definition to go or do before
	5	top 500
profoundintense (of great emotional depth) Her apology was heartfelt--expressing profound sorrow and regret.more Show sample from book Ralph burst with pride when Grover was paper-trained; and when he'd shrunk the paper down and moved it successfully outside, he felt such a profound sense of accomplishment that all his organs seemed to relax and settle.4 more of greatest intensity or emotional depth Show general definition for profound (as in: profound sadness) of greatest intensity or emotional depth
	5	top 1000
ponderthink about The question the audience is left to ponder is...more Show sample from book Now she pondered her image with seriousness.†4 more ponder → pondered:thought deeply or carefully about Show general definition to think deeply or carefully about something
	4	top 500
diligentcareful and hardworking She's the kind of diligent worker we want to hire.more Show sample from book The third week, however, what could happen even to the cleverest, most diligent, most upright of scholars ... happened to him.3 more hardworking Show general definition for diligent (as in: she is diligent) working carefully and steadily with effort and attention to detail
	5	top 1000
musemuse → mused:reflected (thought) deeply He mused aloud about the afternoon's developments.more Show sample from book Still Theresa mused all night, and the next day too.4 more muse → mused:thought (reflected deeply) on a subject Show general definition for muse (as in: her musings) reflect (think) deeply on a subject -- perhaps aloud
	4	top 1000
immigrateimmigrate → immigrated:came to live (from another country) About 1 of each 8 people in the United States immigrated from somewhere else.more Show sample from book Forgot the immigration office?†3 more immigrate → immigration:the act of coming to live in a new country; or indication that something is related to that act Show general definition come to live in a new country
	3	top 500
lamentlament → lamented:expressed grief about She lamented the loss.more Show sample from book "Our plans," she lamented.†2 more lament → lamented:expressed grief or regret Show general definition to express grief or regret
	3	top 500
nonchalantcalm and unconcerned I could tell she was nervous, but she was trying to look nonchalant.more Show sample from book "You should try it," she said, nonchalant, though in one way, she was taken aback too.2 more calmly (unconcerned; or as though unconcerned) Show general definition calm in manner -- appearing unconcerned
	3	top 500
recollectremember I think I recollect that she was away at college that year.more Show sample from book This his ear, his neck, his elbow seemed to recollect.†2 more Show general definition to remember -- especially experiences from long ago Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice): Relative to its synonyms, recollect brings to mind a leisurely piecing together of distant memories. It may be used in a less formal manner than remember and is almost always less formal than recall.
	3	top 500
indifferentwithout interest About a third are in favor of the change, a third are opposed, and a third are indifferent.more Show sample from book [regarding how things look:] But of course it was easy to be indifferent about them herself when she could count on Helen to spruce things up. Now she longed for a set of white frilly curtains.2 more unconcerned (without interest) Show general definition without interest in various senses, including: unconcerned -- as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat." unsympathetic -- as in "She is indifferent to his needs." not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) -- as in "an indifferent performance" impartial -- as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
	30
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 A real estate agent had convinced them that they shouldn't do anything until Ralph had tenure; otherwise they might find themselves "overcommitted."29 more 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 Theresa came home to find Helen lost in a panoply of analytical tools, all laid out on the kitchen table.†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
	3
blithecarefree and happy She spoke with blithe ignorance of the true situation.more Show sample from book It was just before sunset, a time of day when the sun stared blithely across the kitchen, instead of studying the floor.†2 more blithe → blithely:in a carefree and happy manner -- often unaware of or ignoring something that should be of concern Show general definition carefree and happy -- often unaware of or ignoring something that should be of concern
	3
chagrinbad feeling such as embarrassment or disappointment I bragged about how good our team was and then, much to my chagrin, we lost.more Show sample from book Ralph swallowed, chagrined.†2 more chagrin → chagrined:made to feel embarrassed, disappointed, or annoyed Show general definition a bad feeling such as embarrassment, disappointment, or annoyance -- especially due to a disconcerting event, mistake or other blow to the ego
	3
down paymenta partial payment made at the time of purchase We're saving money for a down payment on a home.more Show sample from book Anyway, they had no money for a "down payment."†2 more Show general definition a partial payment made at the time of purchase (the rest to be paid later)
	2
incarnatein the form of a human body She described him as the devil incarnate.more Show sample from book Sometimes Ralph thought of her as Yang Guifei incarnate that's a Tang Dynasty courtesan for whom an emperor went to ruin.†1 more embody Show general definition embody (made real in a material sense) -- especially in the form of a human body, but sometimes figuratively