The Lucky One — Vocabulary
Nicholas Sparks
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	12	top 100
focusconcentrate I find that studying in the library helps me to focus.more Show sample from book Instead, as Nana sang, he focused his attention on her while keeping perfect rhythm and pace, more interested in her performance than his own.12 more focus → focused:concentrated 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
	1	top 100
focus#2area where attention is concentrated Since we're running out of time, let's narrow our focus to just what needs to be done tomorrow.more Show sample from book Enclosed by a hedge lay a series of cobblestone paths that wove among several circular brick planters, each with its own dogwood tree; in the center of the yard, serving as a focal point, was a three-tiered fountain that fed a large koi pond.12 more focus → focal:where attention is drawn Show general definition for focus (as in: The focus of our study is...) where attention is concentrated or directed
	8	top 100
howeverdespite that (a transition word use to connect contrasting ideas) Most college application deadlines are in January and February. However, early admission deadlines are around November and some scholarships require even earlier deadlines.more Show sample from book Strangely, however, she never asked about his military service or if he'd served in Iraq, which struck him as unusual.†8 more a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc. Show general definition for however (as in: However, complications may...) though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas) Show editor's word notes Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but.
	1	top 2000
however#2no matter how (how much/how hard/how long…) However hard she tried, she couldn't do it.more Show sample from book Three for us, and however many you want for you.8 more the amount Show general definition for however (as in: However much she tried...) to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)
	1	top 100
elaborateexplain in detail Please elaborate on the reasons you think this is the best plan.more Show sample from book When he spoke, his voice was steady, like a professor elaborating on a subject he taught.1 more elaborate → elaborating:explaining in detail Show general definition for elaborate (as in: elaborate on your plan) add details or explain in detail
	1	top 500
elaborate#2complicated It's part of her elaborate plan for getting accepted at Harvard.more Show sample from book There was just something exciting about maintaining the pretense that nothing had changed between them; it gave the relationship an illicit feeling, almost like an affair. ... Every now and then while Beth and Logan were engaged in keeping up their elaborate facade, Nana would mutter something nonsensical like "camels in the Sahara" or "it's like hair and slippers."1 more Show general definition for elaborate (as in: an elaborate design) having details and complexity -- sometimes fancy or ornate Show editor's word notes Depending upon it's context, this sense of elaborate can additionally imply that details make something either:<ul><li>more special than others of its kind in a good way</li></ul>or:<ul><li>more complicated than necessary in a bad way</li></ul>
	4	top 100
evaluateevaluate → evaluating:thinking carefully and making a judgment about I'm evaluating colleges and deciding which I want to apply to.more Show sample from book He often got the sense she was evaluating him, even in the course of normal conversations.†3 more Show general definition to think carefully and make a judgment about something
	3	top 2000
positivecertain I'm positive I've seen her before.more Show sample from book "You sure? It's probably expensive." "Positive."3 more Show general definition for positive (as in: I'm absolutely positive!) certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
	1
positive#2optimistic With a positive attitude and some effort, I'm sure we can make this work.more Show sample from book Power of positive thinking and all that.3 more optimistic (focusing on good things) Show general definition for positive (as in: a positive attitude) optimistic (expecting or focusing on good things); or agreeable
	5	top 500
intuitionintuition → intuitive:able to understand things from feeling or instinct rather than conscious reasoning They were perfect partners--one highly intuitive and the other highly analytical.more Show sample from book She knew she hadn't really known him long enough to make that kind of judgment, but she couldn't deny her intuition.4 more something believed based on feeling or instinct rather than conscious reasoning Show general definition something known based on feeling or instinct rather than conscious reasoning; or the ability to know things in such a manner
	4	top 200
skepticaldoubtful I am skeptical about her plan.more Show sample from book "Are you saying that I owe this woman something?" Thibault's voice was skeptical.3 more full of doubt (that something is true) Show general definition doubtful (that something is true or worthwhile) or more rarely: generally tending to doubt what others believe
	6	top 1000
intimidateintimidate → intimidated:made afraid (of being inadequate) I was intimidated on my first day at the job, but I'm comfortable now.more Show sample from book Clayton had learned a long time ago that his uniform intimidated most people.5 more intimidate → intimidated:threatened; or instilled fear Show general definition to cause fear, nervousness, or a sense of inadequacy
	4	top 200
plausiblesounding reasonable She offered a plausible excuse.more Show sample from book The story was plausible, but she sensed that he was either lying or leaving something out.3 more sounded reasonable on the surface (though unproven) Show general definition apparently reasonable, but unproven
	5	top 1000
debrispieces of something that has been destroyed; or trash that is lying around She swept up the debris.more Show sample from book Thibault noticed the debris deposited around the pillars by the rushing waters.†4 more Show general definition pieces of something that has been destroyed; or trash that is lying around
	2	top 500
adeptskillful She is adept with numbers.more Show sample from book At ten, Ben was already remarkably adept at predicting her behavior.†1 more Show general definition having skill in a particular area
	3	top 2000
reticentreluctant to speak She was reticent initially, but eventually she opened up.more Show sample from book "Tell me in ten words or less," she suggested, sensing his reticence.2 more reticent → reticence:reluctance to speak freely Show general definition reluctant -- especially to speak freely Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice): Consider using taciturn rather than reticent when the reluctance to speak is a general disposition rather than a short-term situation brought about by particular circumstance.
	3
fiascocomplete failure Their battle plan was a fiasco. They were in retreat after five minutes.more Show sample from book Beth's marriage, on the other hand, had been a fiasco from the beginning.†2 more a complete failure or humiliating situation Show general definition a complete failure or humiliating situation
	3
subconsciousmental activity of which we are not aware, but which can influence feelings and behavior In the experiment, the image flashed too quickly to be seen consciously, but it impacted the subconscious.more Show sample from book It's like the noise begins to trail behind the engine by a millisecond that the brain can pick up only subconsciously, and I knew we were in trouble.†2 more subconscious → subconsciously:of mental activity of which one is not aware, but which can influence feelings and behavior Show general definition mental activity of which one is not aware, but which can influence feelings and behavior; or the part of the mind that engages in such activity Show editor's word notes Though commonly used in daily conversation, the word subconscious is not used clinically. Where the layperson says subconscious, psychologists are likely to say unconscious mind.
	2	top 2000
contritesorry She apologized, but she didn't seem genuinely contrite.more Show sample from book Clayton shuffled his feet, trying to look contrite.1 more sorry and full of regret for a fault or offense Show general definition feeling sorrow or regret for a fault or offense
	2
dissuadepersuade someone not to do something The ad features a woman dying of lung throat cancer in an attempt to dissuade people from starting to smoke cigarettes.more Show sample from book Once Nana made up her mind about something, there was no way to dissuade her.†1 more Show general definition persuade someone not to do something