The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian — Vocabulary
Sherman Alexie
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	8
nomadicmoving from place to place The nomadic tribe traveled from place to place, following the herds of animals that provided their sustenance.more Show sample from book Damn, my sister had married a lopsided, eagle-nosed, nomadic poker player.†7 more tending to make a home in different places rather than staying in one place Show general definition tending to make a home in different places rather than staying in one place
	6	top 1000
metaphormetaphor → metaphorically:with a figure of speech in which a similarity between two things is highlighted by using a word to refer to something that it does not literally denote He was speaking metaphorically when he referred to being mugged by reality.more Show sample from book And I don't mean "kill" as in "metaphor."5 more a figure of speech in which a word is used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity -- as when Shakespeare wrote, "All the world's a stage." Show general definition a figure of speech in which a similarity between two things is implied by using a word to refer to something it does not literally mean—as in, "All the world’s a stage." Show editor's word notes When Shakespeare wrote, "All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players." he was not saying the world is really a stage and all people are actors. But he was pointing to the similarities he wants us to recognize. While metaphors and similes are both techniques of figurative language. The distinction is that a simile explicitly shows that a comparison is being made, by using words such as "like" or "as". A metaphor simply substitutes words assuming the reader will understand the meaning should not be take literally. "She is like a diamond in the rough" is a simile; while "She is a diamond in the rough" is a metaphor.
	3	top 1000
eccentricodd or unusual Her eccentric outfits always turned heads at school.more Show sample from book Sure, my dad has a drinking problem and my mom can be a little eccentric, but they make sacrifices for me.2 more unconventional or strange Show general definition unconventional or strange; or a person with such traits -- often in a way that seems interesting or harmless
	4	top 2000
epican outstanding literary work that is long and heroic I think Game of Thrones is the most epic fantasy written since The Rings Trilogy.more Show sample from book They were beautiful and smart and epic.†3 more an outstanding work of literature or film Show general definition something that is outstanding -- especially a literary work that is long and heroic
	2	top 500
approximateapproximate → approximately:about The state has approximately as many Republicans as Democrats.more Show sample from book If the government wants to hide somebody, there's probably no place more isolated than my reservation, which is located approximately one million miles north of Important and two billion miles west of Happy.1 more Show general definition almost, but not exact; or similar
	2	top 1000
susceptibleeasily influenced or harmed I am more susceptible to colds than most.more Show sample from book I haven't had a seizure in seven years, but the doctors tell me that I am "susceptible to seizure activity."1 more easily influenced or harmed by Show general definition easily influenced or harmed or: capable of being treated in a particular way
	2	top 1000
nucleusthe center (in this case, key central members) They have the nucleus of a good team.†more Show sample from book And let me tell you, that old, old, old, decrepit geometry book hit my heart with the force of a nuclear bomb.†1 more nucleus → nuclear:relating to the central or most important part of something Show general definition the center (or most important part) of something such as: in physics: the center of an atom where protons & neutrons are found in biology: the center of a cell where DNA is found in sociology: the closest family (mother/father/children in contrast to the extended family)
	1	top 100
reviseimprove (change) How can you revise that paragraph to improve the expression of ideas?more Show sample from book I keep writing and rewriting, drawing and redrawing, and rethinking and revising and reediting. revise → revising:changing 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
	2	top 2000
represshold back (not allow it to be expressed) She tried to repress her laughter while they talked, but a smile kept breaking through.more Show sample from book The Reardan kids were so worried about grades and sports and THEIR FUTURES that they sometimes acted like repressed middle-aged business dudes with cell phones stuck in their small intestines.1 more repress → repressed:holding back expression of feelings, thoughts, and desires Show general definition for repress (as in: she repressed a laugh) to hold something back (not allow it to be expressed)
	1	top 100
contradictdisagree with Does the sentence contradict the main claim of the essay?more Show sample from book They couldn't believe that I was contradicting a teacher.† contradict → contradicting:disagreeing Show general definition disagree in various senses, including: to say something is not true -- as in "She contradicted his testimony." to say something else is true when both can't be true -- as in "I don't believe her. She contradicted herself as she told us what happened." to be in conflict with -- as in "Her assertions contradict accepted scientific principles."
	2	top 2000
marathona footrace of about 26 miles She is training to run in the Boston Marathon.more Show sample from book Well, not exactly a marathon.†1 more Show general definition for marathon (as in: ran her first marathon) a 26.2-mile footrace; or, more generally, any long and demanding activity requiring endurance
	1	top 500
resolutiona firm decision to do something Her New Year's resolution is to read deeply at least one hour a day.more Show sample from book She made a New Year's resolution to finish her book by summertime. Show general definition for resolution (as in: a New Year's resolution) a firm decision to do something
	1	top 500
determinedetermine → determines:controls The research paper determines 50% of the class grade.more Show sample from book One play can determine the course of a game. control (how something will turn out) Show general definition for determine (as in: this game determines the champion) to control (how something will turn out)
	1	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 A spontaneous demonstration. happening or arising without plan Show general definition happening naturally, suddenly, or without outside planning or action
	2	top 100
redundantmore than is needed or desired What is clarifying for one reader can be a redundant distraction for another.more Show sample from book Oh, you mean, redundant, like saying the same thing over and over but in different ways?1 more more than is needed -- especially repeating ideas Show general definition more than is needed -- often something that is unnecessarily repeated or in technical usage: describing a secondary component designed to work if the primary component fails
	4
penultimatenext to the last She was murdered in the penultimate episode.more Show sample from book Roger's nickname for Penelope was Penultimate.3 more Show general definition next to the last
	3	top 2000
scintillatingbrilliantly lively, clever, or exciting We shared a scintillating conversation.more Show sample from book I'm planning on heading back to the classroom for more scintillating lessons from the history teacher.†2 more
	2
cerebralrelating to the brain Moderate exercise increases cerebral blood volume which improves thinking.more Show sample from book But cerebral spinal fluid is just the doctors' fancy way of saying brain grease.1 more Show general definition relating to the brain -- especially the cerebrum (front of the brain) or: involving careful thinking rather than emotions or instinct
	2
rhetorical questionrhetorical question → rhetorical questions:questions asked to emphasize a point or to generate interest rather than to get information She asks and answers rhetorical questions faster than I can consider them.more Show sample from book But poor Miss Warren, she answered my rhetorical question.†1 more a question asked to emphasize a point or to generate interest rather than to get… Show general definition a question asked to emphasize a point or to generate interest rather than to get information Show editor's word notes If you're familiar with the word rhetoric, you can think of this as a question that is asked for rhetorical effect.
	2
point guardbasketball: primary ballhandler who also sets up the offense I think Magic Johnson was the greatest point guard of all time.more Show sample from book Jeff, our point guard, was the new Little Larry Soliday.†1 more Show general definition basketball: primary ballhandler who also sets up the offense Show editor's word notes Also called the 2 position.