Thirteen Reasons Why — Vocabulary
Jay Asher
(Auto-generated)

Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
6 top 100
focusconcentrate
I find that studying in the library helps me to focus.more
Show sample from book
Wally's eyes were focused down, just beyond the edge of the counter, near my waist, and I knew what was coming.p.47.97 more
focus → focused:looking
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
2 top 2000
focus#2into view (as an area of attention)
The bridge collapse brought aging infrastructure into focus as a political issue.more
Show sample from book
When I pull my gaze back and focus my eyes, I can see my own reflection in the glass.p.73.97 more
adjust (to see clearly)
Show general definition for focus (as in: bring into focus; or out of focus) a state where something has come into view or can be seen clearly; or an adjustment made to permit a clear view
3 top 100
appropriatesuitable (fitting) for a particular situation
These clothes aren't appropriate for work.more
Show sample from book
It's one of those words with many definitions, but there's one that's most appropriate.p.77.32 more
suitable (fitting) for this situation
2 top 10
interpretunderstand (In this case: Why did she smile? What does it mean?)
I don't know how to interpret her smile.more
Show sample from book
You know, I'm not even going to interpret this.p.52.51 more
explain the meaning of
Show general definition for interpret (as in: her interpretation of the data) to understand or explain something in a particular way -- often the meaning or significance of something
5 top 1000
confrontdeal directly with an unpleasant situation
You must confront your problems.more
Show sample from book
While my original plan called for me to confront you right then and there, I jumped to the side—out of the doorway.p.167.74 more
to challenge someone or deal directly with an unpleasant situation with them
Show general definition to deal directly with an unpleasant situation or person

or:

to challenge someone -- often by presenting evidence
2 top 100
consequenceconsequence → consequences:results
Your decision will have three major consequences.more
Show sample from book
Of course, if the tapes do get out, you'll have to deal with consequences completely out of your control.p.202.81 more
Show general definition for consequence (as in: a direct consequence of) a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
2 top 100
analyzeexamine in detail to better understand
Analyze the situation and tell me what you think we should do.more
Show sample from book
You fill out a survey, a computer analyzes your answers, then it cross-references with the other surveys.p.119.31 more
analyze → analyzes:examines
Show general definition to examine and consider something in detail to better understand it
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
But even when I was late, everyone seemed happy to have me there—to provide the "feminine teen perspective" they called it.p.182.21 more
way of seeing and 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
2 top 100
factorthing (that influenced a result)
Cost was an important factor in our decision.more
Show sample from book
I think the deciding factor …. was revenge.p.40.91 more
thing that affects a result or outcome
Show general definition for factor (as in: It was the deciding factor.) something that affects a result or outcome
Show editor's word notes You also may encounter x-factor or x factor--meaning "the most important thing that influences a result or outcome."
2 top 100
genuinegenuine → genuinely:sincerely
I am genuinely sorry for what I did.more
Show sample from book
Courtney does come off as genuinely sweet.†p.95.11 more
genuine → genuinely:really
Show general definition real (as when a person is sincere or an object is not a replica or fake)
4 top 2000
ridiculemock (make fun of)
It's easier to ridicule her ideas than to seriously refute her findings.more
Show sample from book
...the point is, when you hold people up for ridicule, you have to take responsibility when other people act on it.p.53.43 more
mocking (to make fun of them)
Show general definition mock (make fun of); or the language or behavior that does so
3 top 1000
avertavert → averted:turned away
She averted her eyes from the violence on TV.more
Show sample from book
Any excuse to avert my eyes from the other passengers.p.59.52 more
turn away
Show general definition for avert (as in: avert her eyes) turn away or aside -- often to turn your eyes away from something
2 top 200
optimisticexpecting the best
I'm optimistic that I'll get into a good college.more
Show sample from book
Or I could leave it as an optimist and hope for the best.p.127.11 more
optimistic → optimist:someone who expects the best
Show general definition expecting the best; or focusing on the good part of things
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
So tell me, Tyler, those nights you stood outside my window, was I spontaneous enough for you?p.77.51 more
behaving in an instinctive (unplanned) manner
Show general definition happening naturally, suddenly, or without outside planning or action
3 top 100
narratoran actor who helps to tell a story by talking directly to the audience (breaking the imaginary barrier between the performers and the audience)
The narrator in the play, Our Town talks to characters in the play as well as to the audience.more
Show sample from book
But the narrator did have a thick British accent.†p.38.12 more
storyteller
Show general definition someone who tells a story--especially the main voice in a documentary, or a character who talks directly to the audience in a movie, play or other performance
3 top 1000
pessimisticexpecting that things will turn out badly;
Despite the team's losing streak, the coach tried to remain optimistic, while the players grew increasingly pessimistic.more
Show sample from book
But you must stop being so pessimistic, Hannah, and learn to trust those around you.†p.145.42 more
expecting that things will turn out badly…
Show general definition expecting that things will turn out badly; or focusing on the bad part of things
3
repercussionsindirect effects
The political repercussions of the scandal are still unclear.†more
Show sample from book
It's about the repercussions of what you did.†p.42.12 more
indirect or secondary effects of an action -- typically negative effects
Show general definition indirect or secondary effects of an action -- typically negative effects
2
accordioncharacterized by narrower parallel folds when closed and wider when open
An accordion wall can be closed to divide the room.†more
Show sample from book
Behind that window, a bedroom and a closet with accordion doors where Hannah, on the night I kissed her, disappeared.†p.228.11 more
Show general definition for accordion (as in: an accordion door) characterized by narrower parallel folds when closed and wider when open -- such as a door or musical instrument with that characteristic
Show editor's word notes When unqualified, accordion generally refers to a musical instrument.

See the related Google Images to see pictures of the musical instrument, doors, folds, and pleats that have accordion characteristics.
2 top 2000
abortionintentionally ending pregnancy
Abortion is a tough issue. Some consider it a question of a woman's right to control her body, but others consider it a question of defending the helpless from murder.more
Show sample from book
In the past, Mrs. Bradley had notes dropped in her bag suggesting group discussions on abortion, family violence, cheating—on boyfriends, girlfriends, on tests.†p.172.21 more
intentionally ending a pregnancy
Show general definition for abortion (as in: have an abortion) intentional ending of pregnancy with medical assistance by removing the fetus or embryo from the body before it is able to survive
Show editor's word notes A spontaneous abortion (more commonly called a miscarriage) is an abortion that happens without medical assistance or intent
1 top 200
validategive evidence for the truth of something
To further validate their results, researchers did a larger study the following year.more
Show sample from book
I wanted someone to validate my fears.†p.84.3
give evidence for the truth or value of; OR  declare as legally approved
Show general definition give evidence for the truth or value of; or declare as legally approved