Heaven Is for Real — Vocabulary
Todd Burpo
(Auto-generated)

Word Set

Samples

Sort By

Further limit words

by chapter of first use

to Show all

by difficulty

to (9 is most difficult)

by interest

underline any show only

Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	1	top 10
illustratemake clear Pictures of flooding help to illustrate the problem of global warming.more Show sample from book For one thing, a pastor's wife has to put up with being used as a sermon illustration a lot.2 more illustrate → illustration:example (to help clarify or demonstrate) Show general definition for illustrate (as in: as illustrated by this example) to help make clear -- typically by example
	2	top 2000
illustrate#2draw pictures to accompany I write and illustrate children's books.more Show sample from book As we knelt on the floor to pray, I laid the book aside on the carpet, and it fell open to an illustration that pictured King Solomon sitting on his throne.2 more illustrate → illustration:picture Show general definition for illustrate (as in: an illustrated children's book) to draw pictures (or provide photographs) to accompany a book or other writing
	1	top 2000
approachapproach → approaching:getting nearer Winter is approaching.more Show sample from book For example, the author of the book of Hebrews urges believers to "approach the throne of grace with confidence," and says that after Jesus had completed his work on earth, he "sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."4 more get near Show general definition for approach (as in: approached the city) to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
	4	top 500
approach#2method (way of doing something) Perhaps I just need to work harder, but I may need an entirely different approach to the problem.more Show sample from book One year, this gentleman decided he could sell more of his delicious beverage using what you might call the Hooters approach to marketing.4 more technique (way of doing something) Show general definition for approach (as in: use the best approach) a way of doing something; or a route that leads to a particular place
	1	top 1000
literallyusing the most basic meaning of the words She wasn't literally advocating physical violence.more Show sample from book The Bible says that with the Lord, "a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." Some interpret that as a literal exchange, as in, two days equals two thousand years.4 more literally → literal:actual (not figurative) Show general definition for literally (as in: literally--not figuratively) actually true using the basic meaning of the words (not an exaggeration, metaphor, or other type of figurative speech)
	4	top 2000
literally#2an intensifier (to intensify what is said) I literally feel like a prisoner in my own home.more Show sample from book Still, of the literally dozens of portraits of Jesus we'd seen since 2003, Colton had still never seen one he thought was right.4 more Show general definition for literally (as in: literally at death's door) an intensifier (to intensify what is said -- especially a metaphor) Show editor's word notes Since literally can mean actually true, but can also be used to intensify a metaphor, the reader has to use context to know what the word means. For example, if you read "She stabbed him in the back," you would probably assume she betrayed him. But if you read it in a murder mystery where the victim was stabbed, you might assume you were being told that she actually stabbed him. Because confusion can arise from this kind of usage, many authorities discourage using literally to intensify a metaphor--especially in formal usage.
	7	top 500
congregationpeople who worship together in the same building It's a casual congregation where many people wander into services late.more Show sample from book Some were in our congregation and some from other churches, but they had all come together to pray for our son.6 more Show general definition for congregation (as in: the congregation voted) people who worship together in the same building
	9	top 2000
diagnoseidentify Did the doctor diagnose the problem?more Show sample from book Without a diagnosis, they couldn't treat our son.8 more diagnose → diagnosis:determination of the nature of a problem or an illness Show general definition determine or identify the nature of a problem or an illness
	8	top 2000
pavilionfreestanding structure without walls We're meeting for a picnic under the pavilion at the park.more Show sample from book Sonja had heard of a neat place for kids to visit just outside Denver called the Butterfly Pavilion.†7 more a large structure separate from a main structure or temporary Show general definition a large building or section of a building that stands apart in function or design -- often used for gatherings, exhibitions, or specialized purposes
	5	top 500
earnestearnest → in earnest:in a serious manner I began training in earnest the summer before high school.more Show sample from book "Daddy?" Colton looked at me earnestly. "What?" He gazed at me and didn't move his eyes from mine. "Daddy, you know I almost died."4 more earnest → earnestly:seriously Show general definition characterized by sincere belief or: intensely or excessively serious or determined
	6	top 2000
gospelgospel → gospels:books in the New Testament that Christian's believe tell the story of Jesus Christ's life and teachings The earliest surviving complete copy of the gospels dates back to the 4th century.more Show sample from book The story is told in the gospel of John:5 more one of the four books in the New Testament that Christian's believe tell the story of Jesus Christ's life and teachings Show general definition for gospel (as in: gospel of the Bible) the religious teachings of Jesus or: one of the four books in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) that Christian's believe tell the story of Jesus Christ's life and teachings
	2	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 And I remembered a passage from Daniel in which an angel visits Daniel in answer to prayer, but says he was delayed for twenty-one days because he was engaged in a battle with the King of Persia.1 more 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.
	2	top 100
contextcontext → out of context:in a misleading manner (because the quote left out additional words that changed the meaning of what was quoted) She said she was quoted out of context and that anyone who read her full speech would know it.more Show context notes When someone is quoted "out of context" it means that selected words were quoted that misrepresent the meaning of all their words. For example, if you said "I admire their effort, but they are dead wrong if they think this will work," and someone implied that you supported their plan by quoting you as only saying, "I admire their effort," they would be quoting you out of context. Show sample from book Instead, each time I walked into Colton's room, I saw my little boy slipping deeper into the grip of whatever mysterious monster held him. Not only was he not getting better; he was getting worse faster. ... I had seen this look many times, but in a context where you might expect it, in a patient suffering from terminal cancer or in the final phases of old age.1 more situation Show general definition the setting or situation in which something occurs
	3	top 500
renderrender → rendered:played (portrayed or gave her interpretation of) The pianist rendered the Beethoven sonata beautifully.more Show sample from book But after three years of examining Jesus pictures, we did know that Akiane's rendering was not only a departure from typical paintings of Jesus; it was also the only one that had ever stopped Colton in his tracks.2 more render → rendering:portrayal Show general definition for render (as in: rendered interpretation) to portray or create something in a particular way; or to interpret, translate, or extract from The exact meaning of this sense of render depends upon its context. For example: "Each artist will render a different interpretation when painting a portrait." -- create in a particular way "A Supreme Court judge may render his own interpretation of the Constitution." -- interpret in a particular way "The computer you are using, rendered this page from software instructions." -- created through interpretation "A graph is rendered from the underlying data." -- made "Fat can be rendered (extracted) by cooking meat slowly." -- extracted from
	2	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 The narrator went on to say that Akiane's mother was an atheist and that the concept of God was never discussed in their home.†1 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
	4
anesthesialoss of bodily sensation The operation requires general anesthesia.more Show sample from book I don't think he could feel it yet, since he was still under the effects of the local anesthesia the surgical team had applied to the incision site.†3 more loss of bodily sensation -- especially created intentionally to control pain Show general definition loss of bodily sensation -- especially created intentionally to control pain Show editor's word notes There are two broad categories of anesthetics given to cause anesthesia: A general anesthetic causes loss of consciousness. A local anesthetic blocks sensation in a limited region of the body while maintaining consciousness.
	2	top 2000
guilecunning (shrewdness and cleverness) and deceit Her intelligence was exceeded only by her guile.more Show sample from book What is childlike humility? It's not the lack of intelligence, but the lack of guile. The lack of an agenda.1 more cunning (shrewdness and cleverness), and deceit Show general definition cunning (shrewdness and cleverness) and deceitful
	2
burnishburnish → burnished:polished The jeweler carefully burnished the silver bracelet until it gleamed.more Show sample from book Inside, we found the burnished oak casket standing off to one side of the foyer.†1 more burnish → burnished:polished and made shiny; or improved something Show general definition to polish, especially to make metal shiny; or more generally, to improve or enhance something’s appearance or reputation
	2
prologuean introduction to a fictional work In the prologue, we learn about the history of the kingdom, providing important background information for the rest of the story.more Show sample from book Prologue — Angels at Arby's.†1 more an introduction to a fictional work… Show general definition an introduction to a fictional work; or anything that precedes a more important event
	2
pediatricrelated to medical care for children She hopes to become a pediatric nurse and work with young children in a hospital setting.more Show sample from book Sonja called ahead to the office of pediatrician Dr. Dell Shepherd to let his staff know we were coming.†1 more pediatric → pediatrician:a doctor who specializes in the treatment of infants and children Show general definition of the branch of medicine concerned with the treatment of infants and children