The Ultimate Gift — Vocabulary
Jim Stovall
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	35	top 500
ultimatefinal The president has ultimate responsibility for directing a war.more Show sample from book Jason, I want to congratulate you for making it to the last step of the ultimate gift I planned for you.†34 more most extreme as in final, best, worst, most important, or most fundamental Show general definition most extreme as in final, best, worst, most important, or most fundamental The exact meaning of ultimate depends upon its context. For example: "the ultimate decision-maker" -- the final "the ultimate car" -- the best "the ultimate insult" -- the worst "the ultimate source" -- original or most fundamental "the ultimate sacrifice" -- most extreme
	10	top 500
principlebelief I accept as a basic principle that all people are precious and should be treated with equal dignity.more Show sample from book I thought a lot about friendship this month, and I tried to come up with the principles that define friendship.†9 more principle → principles:basic rules or beliefs Show general definition a basic rule or belief The exact meaning of principle can depend upon its context. For example: "our guiding principles" -- basic moral beliefs that guide decisions and behavior "electromagnetic principles" -- rules describing how the world works "She lacks principles." -- lacks moral guidelines "We agree in principle." -- about important basic beliefs
	4	top 100
appropriatesuitable (fitting) for a particular situation These clothes aren't appropriate for work.more Show sample from book Miss Hastings pressed the appropriate button on the remote control, and Red Stevens appeared once again on the video screen.3 more applicable (correct)
	4	top 500
thereforefor that reason Kim is taller than Ashley. Ashley is taller than Anna. Therefore, Kim is taller than Anna.more Show sample from book Therefore, I had Margaret offer everyone coffee, tea, or soft drinks along with anything else she could think of.†3 more Show general definition for that reason (what follows is so because of what was just said)
	2	top 100
establishestablish → established:created Which word choice best maintains the tone established in the first paragraph?more Show sample from book You have established a most worthwhile dream and goal for your life.1 more Show general definition for establish (as in: establish a positive tone) create, start, or set in [a] place
	3	top 500
anxietynervousness She suffers from more than the usual pre-test anxiety.more Show sample from book It took me a moment to overcome my anxiety and to be able to enjoy his humor.2 more nervousness or worry Show general definition nervousness or worry
	3	top 500
legacya gift left in a will She left her vacation home as a legacy for her family.more Show sample from book Jason, today, I am passing the legacy of the Golden List on to you.2 more something passed from one generation to the next 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."
	4	top 1000
bewilderconfuse Some of their customs can bewilder travelers.more Show sample from book Jason turned with a bewildered look on his face and said, "I don't know what you're talking about, Mr. Hamilton."3 more bewilder → bewildered:confused Show general definition to confuse someone
	3	top 1000
demeanormanner of behavior His calm demeanor reassured everyone during the crisis.more Show sample from book If at any time during the next twelve months you do not perform as called for, or if Mr. Hamilton does not approve of your attitude and demeanor, he will simply stop the process and cut you off from my ultimate gift to you.†2 more the manner in which a person behaves Show general definition the manner in which a person behaves
	3	top 500
contemplatethink deeply about After the meeting, she needed some time alone to contemplate her next move.more Show sample from book When you face your own mortality, you contemplate how much of life you have lived versus how much you have left.†2 more consider or ponder Show general definition consider or ponder
	4	top 1000
deprivedeprive → deprived:left without a basic comfort The storm deprived the town of electricity.more Show sample from book I cannot imagine being deprived of the privilege of giving things and part of myself to other people.†3 more deprive → deprived:lacking things most people enjoy Show general definition to take away or keep from having
	2	top 200
dubiousquestionable or unreliable The theory is based on dubious evidence that hasn’t been verified.more Show sample from book Jason stared at me dubiously and said, "I thought I was supposed to be learning about family."1 more dubious → dubiously:with doubt or uncertainty Show general definition doubtful, questionable, or suspicious -- especially in a way that makes something seem unreliable, improper, or uncertain doubtful in various senses, including: questionable or doubtful that something should be relied upon -- as in "The argument relies on a dubious assumption." suspicious or doubtful that something is morally proper -- as in "The company is accused of using dubious sales practices to influence minors." bad or of questionable value -- as in "The state has the dubious distinction of the highest taxes." uncertain or doubtful -- as in "She is dubious about making the change."
	2	top 500
diligentcareful and hardworking She's the kind of diligent worker we want to hire.more Show sample from book ...he was actually going about his task with more energy and diligence than I had expected.1 more diligent → diligence:hard work and care Show general definition for diligent (as in: she is diligent) working carefully and steadily with effort and attention to detail
	2	top 500
approximateapproximate → approximately:about The state has approximately as many Republicans as Democrats.more Show sample from book If Gus Caldwell had paid you for the work you performed last month, you would have earned approximately $1,500.†1 more approximate → approximately:about (but not exactly) Show general definition almost, but not exact; or similar
	4
testamentevidence Her big jump in grades was a testament to the hours she spent studying each night.more Show sample from book I assured Jason that it met both the spirit and the letter of Red Stevens' final will and testament.†3 more testament → will and testament:a will (written instructions expressing how somebody wants their property distributed after they die) Show general definition evidence or proof of something, or a formal written statement — such as a will or one of the two main parts of the Christian Bible Show editor's word notes Most commonly, you can substitute "evidence" or "proof" for testament. But see the first exemplary sample sentences for other common word substitutions.
	2	top 500
paradoxsomething that seems contradictory but is true It’s a paradox that the more we learn, the more we realize how little we know.more Show sample from book In fact, the longer you live, the more the reality of life will seem like one great paradox.1 more surprising because parts of it seem to contradict each other Show general definition a situation or statement that seems to contradict itself but may still be true
	3	top 2000
belligerenthostile or combative She spoke to her teacher in a belligerent tone and was sent to the office.more Show sample from book Jason glared at him and said belligerently, "Can I have some breakfast, please?"2 more belligerent → belligerently:with the attitude of one eager to fight Show general definition hostile (the attitude of one eager to fight); or one already engaged in a fight or war
	3	top 2000
encompassencompass → encompasses:includes This group encompasses a wide range of people from different backgroundsmore Show sample from book Jason, the next element of the gift I am trying to leave to you encompasses knowledge and learning.†2 more encompass → encompasses:to include, surround, or take in completely Show general definition to include, surround, or take in completely -- whether by covering, holding, or involving something fully
	2	top 2000
countenancefacial expression; or face She has a pleasant countenance.more Show sample from book He looked at me with a confused expression on his countenance and...1 more face Show general definition for countenance (as in: a pleasant countenance) facial expression; or face; or composure or manner
	1	top 500
proficiencyskill After months of practice, her proficiency in Spanish let her hold real conversations.more Show sample from book He became proficient at getting the books checked in and checked out rapidly, and he would often converse with the library patrons about the books that they had read.† proficiency → proficient:skillful Show general definition skillfulness in something