Pretty Little Liars — Vocabulary
Sara Shepard
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	2	top 500
attaingain or reach something with effort She was the first woman to attain the rank of general.more Show sample from book Go out with an attainable boy, then!†1 more attain → attainable:able to be gained or reached with effort Show context notes The suffix "-able" means able to be. This is the same pattern you see in words like breakable, understandable, and comfortable. Show general definition to gain or reach something with effort
	2	top 500
spontaneoussudden and unplanned Her spontaneous decision to take a road trip led to one of the best weekends of her life.more Show sample from book She had this horrible sense that she really was going to spontaneously morph back into her seventh-grade self.1 more spontaneous → spontaneously:suddenly without apparent cause Show context notes In this context, morph is a synonym for change. Show general definition happening naturally, suddenly, or without outside planning or action
	3	top 1000
stiflesuppress (prevent something or decrease its development) These excessive rules that stifle creativity.more Show sample from book Aria stifled a giggle.2 more stifle → stifled:suppressed (prevented from happening) Show general definition for stifle (as in: stifling the urge) to suppress (prevent something or decrease its development) -- often political freedom
	2	top 1000
incredulousdifficult to believe I find it incredulous that you believe she is sincere.more Show sample from book Spencer stared at Andrew incredulously.1 more incredulous → incredulously:with disbelief or surprise Show general definition unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
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luminousshining The sky was luminous with stars.more Show sample from book Her bare skin looked luminous, and her face was slightly flushed.1 more glowing (beautiful) Show general definition glowing or shining (also used metaphorically to describe beauty or intelligence)
	2	top 1000
melancholyvery sad She's been in a melancholy mood since her dog died.more Show sample from book This was such a perfect friend moment, it made her feel kind of melancholy and nostalgic.1 more thoughtfully sad Show general definition a sad feeling or manner -- sometimes thoughtfully sad
	2	top 1000
rationalrational → rationally:in a reasonable manner It's hard to think rationally when I'm this upset.more Show sample from book She stared at the note and tried to think rationally.†1 more rational → rationally:reasonable, able to think clearly, or based on logic rather than emotion Show general definition for rational (as in: rational behavior) reasonable, able to think clearly, or based on logic rather than emotion
	3
abbeya building where monks or nuns live The monks at the abbey followed a strict schedule of prayer, work, and study.more Show sample from book On Monday morning, instead of sitting in first-period bio, Emily stood next to her parents in the high-ceilinged, marble-floored nave of Rosewood Abbey.†2 more a building where monks or nuns live or lived… Show general definition a building where monks or nuns live or lived; or a church associated with such a building
	3	top 2000
fidgetfidget → fidgeting:making small restless movements The child is always fidgeting in his seatmore Show sample from book Aria fidgeted with her jacket's zipper.†2 more fidget → fidgeted:made small restless movements Show general definition to make small restless movements
	1	top 100
establishestablish → establishing:showing or demonstrating The passage is primarily about establishing the relationship between the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and global temperature.more Show sample from book Three Scotches later, Aria and Ezra had established that they'd both met the same old sailor bartender at the Borg bar in Reykjavik, loved the way bathing in the mineral-rich blue lagoon hot springs made them feel sleepy, and actually liked the rotten-egg sulfur smell of the geothermal hot spring water. establish → established:learned Show general definition for establish (as in: establish that there is a need) show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
	2	top 1000
mortifiedexceedingly embarrassed She was mortified when her father questioned the boy who came to pick her up.more Show sample from book Her dad's words stung in her ears: I am so mortified you're my daughter.†1 more extremely embarrassed and ashamed—so humiliated that pride feels wounded. Show general definition for mortified (as in: felt mortified) extremely embarrassed and ashamed—so humiliated that pride feels wounded.
	2	top 1000
wryhumorous in an subtle, ironic, or cynical way The old woman gave a wry smile, as if she knew something that I didn't.more Show sample from book Spencer twisted the comers of her mouth up wryly.†1 more wry → wryly:humor Show general definition humor -- often understated, sarcastic, or ironic -- often expressed by twisting the face
	1	top 100
passagea short part of a longer written work Each passage below is followed by a number of questions.more Show sample from book The entries were all about the books Andrew liked to read, dorky boy philosophizing, a couple of melancholy passages about an unrequited crush on some girl he never named. passage → passages:short parts of longer written works Show general definition for passage (as in: In lines 1-9 of the passage...) a short part of a longer written work Show editor's word notes This meaning of passage is commonly seen on standardized tests like the SAT and ACT.
	1	top 100
precedeprecede → preceded:were before in time Stone tools preceded bronze tools.more Show sample from book 5 always preceded her mom—even though she spent the whole day working around horses—and Spencer was certain she was allergic.† precede → preceded:went or was before Show general definition to go or do before
	2	top 1000
utopiautopia → utopian:of an imaginary place considered to be perfect or ideal They were the impractical utopian dreams of youth.more Show sample from book Especially since home was now her very own little barn utopia.1 more perfect place Show general definition an imaginary place considered to be perfect or ideal
	2
mosaicart consisting of a design made of small pieces of colored stone or glass The museum preserved a beautiful mosaic floor.more Show sample from book It smelled faintly of macaroni and cheese but there was a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling, a funky mosaic tile around the mantel, and real logs in the fireplace.1 more art consisting of a design made of many pieces of colored material such as tile Show general definition art consisting of a design made of many pieces of colored material such as stone or tile or more rarely: anything made of many differing parts of equal importance, but varying appearance
	2
pilferpilfer → pilfering:stealing small items She had been pilfering office supplies where she worked.more Show sample from book She sat on her living room couch, dressed in her rattiest C&C T-shirt and a pair of Calvin Klein boxer briefs she'd pilfered out of Sean's top drawer.1 more pilfer → pilfered:stolen (taken without asking) Show general definition to steal small amounts or unimportant items -- often repeatedly or secretly
	2
preparatorygetting ready The preparatory school has a reputation for sending students to top colleges.more Show sample from book Jason and his friends played it at inter-prep school field parties when scoping out girls.†1 more preparatory → prep school:done to get ready for something that will happen later Show general definition done to get ready for something that will happen later
	2
hamstrungmake less effective Efforts are hamstrung by outdated regulations.more Show sample from book Holding her towel in one hand, she reached for the jar, scooped some into her palm, and slid her hand down her pants to rub it into her hamstring.†1 more hamstrung → hamstring:make less effective or powerless Show general definition for hamstrung (as in: hamstrung by excessive rules) make less effective or powerless Show editor's word notes Hamstrung originally referred to cutting of tendons or hind legs of cattle or other animals, so that they could not escape.
	1	top 200
critiqueanalyze and judge Please critique the performance.more Show sample from book Sometimes, when Hanna twirled around in front of her full-length mirror, she pretended that Ali was sitting behind her, critiquing her outfits the way she used to.† critique → critiquing:an examination and judgment of something Show general definition an examination and judgment of something