The Fault in Our Stars — Vocabulary
John Green
(Edited)

Book sample Uses ACT/SAT
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metaphorsymbol (where a similarity between two things is highlighted by using one of them to represent the other)
"It's a metaphor," I explained. "He puts the killing thing in his mouth but doesn't give it the power to kill him."p.146.615 more
Show context notes We're accustomed to metaphors referring to the use of words as when Shakespeare wrote, "All the world's a stage." But Hazel and Augustus often refer to objects as metaphors--in this case, Augustus' use of unlit cigarettes symbolizes the idea that he has some power over death.
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He was speaking metaphorically when he referred to being mugged by reality.more
metaphor → 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
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.
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oblivionno longer existing and being forgotten
...the problem is not suffering itself or oblivion itself but the depraved meaninglessness of these things, the absolutely inhuman nihilism of suffering.p.281.79 more
Show context notes In this context, nihilism refers to the belief that life and suffering are meaningless. People who believe in some religions or moral frameworks might find meaning in suffering, but those who believe in nihilism reject such beliefs.
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She stopped performing and her music faded into oblivion.more
the state of being completely forgotten
Show general definition state of complete loss—being totally forgotten, wiped out, or lost to awareness of what is going on
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establishestablish → established:created
Perhaps the cancer has established a beachhead in his brain.p.186.71 more
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Which word choice best maintains the tone established in the first paragraph?more
Show general definition for establish (as in: establish a positive tone) create, start, or set in [a] place
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establish#2determine (figure out)
There are a number of ways to establish someone's approximate survival expectations without actually asking.p.23.91 more
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The passage is primarily about establishing the relationship between the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and global temperature.more
establish → establishing:showing or demonstrating
Show general definition for establish (as in: establish that there is a need) show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
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diagnosediagnose → diagnosis:identification of an illness
...but I was different from Augustus: My final chapter was written upon diagnosis.p.166.87 more
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Did the doctor diagnose the problem?more
identify
Show general definition determine or identify the nature of a problem or an illness
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conventionconvention → conventions:behaviors regarded as normal
"No," I said, "but I really appreciate your refusal to give in to breakfasty social conventions."p.143.33 more
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It was once conventional wisdom that the earth is flat.more
convention → conventional:normal
Show general definition for convention (as in: conventional behavior) something regarded as normal or typical
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resonateresonate → resonances:things brought to mind
You choose your behaviors based on their metaphorical resonances ….p.21.26 more
Show context notes Hazel is saying that Augustus chooses behaviors that bring to mind and reinforce desired feelings or ideas. They often talk of metaphors; i.e., things that symbolize other things such as Augustus' cigarettes that symbolize a degree of control he has over death. Something that resonates brings things to mind.
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The sound resonates well in this theater.more
resonate → resonates:has reinforcing effects (making it sound richer)
Show general definition having reinforcing effects

The exact meaning of resonate depends upon its context. For example:
  • "The sound resonates." -- has reinforcing effects that make it sound richer
  • "He has a resonate voice." -- deep and rich
  • "The story resonates with me." -- evokes shared feelings or beliefs
  • "It is resonant of my childhood." -- brings to mind
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nostalgialonging
Gus said, "I wish we had that swing set sometimes."
My nostalgia is so extreme that I am capable of missing a swing my butt never actually touched.p.236.13 more
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The music makes me feel nostalgic.more
nostalgia → nostalgic:with a longing for something past
Show general definition happiness that come with the memory of good times combined with a hint of sadness that those times are over
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composecompose → composed:made up
...all such thoughts were wasted moments in a life composed of a definitionally finite set of such moments.p.97.81 more
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The United States is composed of 50 states.more
Show general definition for compose (as in: composed of many parts) to create something by arranging parts
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reviserevise → revised:changed what was said
"No," I said, and then revised. "Well, maybe I wouldn't go so far as no."p.168.1
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How can you revise that paragraph to improve the expression of ideas?more
improve (change)
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
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conveycommunicate or express
It was not a move designed to elicit arousal, but it was certainly a designed move, because Augustus Waters was no improviser. So what had he been trying to convey?p.93.9
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She dresses to convey a sense of a successful, no-nonsense woman.more
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consciousaware
I became conscious of my own posture and sat up a little on the couch.p.184.714 more
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She prides herself on being socially conscious.more
aware and concerned
Show general definition for conscious (as in: environmentally conscious) aware or concerned about something
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conscious#2conscious → consciousness:the state of being capable of thought and self-reflection
There was time before organisms experienced consciousness, and there will be time after.p.13.414 more
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How common is conscious life in the universe?more
capable of thought, self-reflection, and will
Show general definition for conscious (as in: conscious life on other planets) capable of thought, self-reflection, and will
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impendingabout to happen
...and only now that I loved a grenade did I understand the foolishness of trying to save others from my own impending fragmentation: I couldn't unlove Augustus Waters.p.214.9
Show context notes Hazel had been thinking of herself as a hand grenade. She wanted to stay away from people because she feared that when she died, it would be like an explosion that hurts the people who loved her. Here she better understands the situation when she realizes that Augustus is like a grenade for her. Fragmentation refers to fragments of a grenade flying in all directions when it explodes.
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She plans to spend more time on that after her impending retirement.more
Show general definition about to happen -- especially of something unpleasant or feared
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malevolentharmful
I wanted to not be a grenade, to not be a malevolent force in the lives of people I loved.p.172.8
Show context notes Hazel thinks of herself as a hand grenade. She wanted to stay away from people because she fears that when she dies, it will be like an explosion that hurts the people who loved her.
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She tells vicious lies and spreads malevolent rumors.more
evil
Show general definition evil
  • of a person -- wishing or appearing to wish evil to others
  • of a thing -- exerting an evil or harmful influence
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Shakespeareauthor widely regarded as the greatest in the English language and whose works include Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet
Were she better or you sicker, then the stars would not be so terribly crossed, but it is the nature of stars to cross, and never was Shakespeare more wrong than when he had Cassius note, "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars / But in ourselves."p.111.85 more
Show context notes Van Houton is quoting from Shakespeare's play The Life and Death of Julius Caesar.
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As Shakespeare said, "The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose."more
Show general definition for Shakespeare (as in: William Shakespeare) English dramatist and poet frequently cited as the greatest writer in the English language and who wrote such works as Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet (1564-1616)
Show editor's word notes Shakespeare is the most quoted person in The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations (5th ed. 1999). Commonly quoted passages include:

This above all: to thine own self be true;
And it must follow, as the night the day;
Thou canst not then be false to any man.

What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players.
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts...

The quality of mercy is not strain'd,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.

some men are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them.

O, woe is me,
To have seen what I have seen, see what I see!

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.

Good night, good night! parting is such sweet sorrow,
That I shall say good night till it be morrow.

To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep:

Cowards die many times before their deaths;
The valiant never taste of death but once.

The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.
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eulogypraise for someone who died
Then I began reading from the eulogy I'd written.p.272.98 more
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She gave the eulogy at his funeral.more
formal speech praising someone at their funeral
Show general definition a formal expression of praise -- typically a speech given at someone's funeral
Show editor's word notes A eulogy almost always refers to someone who has recently died, but it is also used under other circumstances. A related word, eulogize (to speak or write a eulogy praising someone or something), may be even more commonly used in non-death circumstances than in circumstances of death.
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existentialexistential → existentially:concerned with meaning (or lack thereof) of life
I liked that he took existentially fraught free throws.p.31.84 more
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It was a moment of existential angst when nothing made sense anymore.more
relating to knowing what is important
Show general definition for existential (as in: existential philosophy) Relating to existentialism — a philosophical movement where each person is free to determine their own meaning and purpose, not bound by convention, God, or authority
Show editor's word notes Existentialist belief is varied. All such beliefs stress the need for each individual to find their own way, but most stress that there is no rational way of finding it.

Atheistic existentialists often stress isolation of the individual in a hostile or indifferent universe. Some stress life without meaning. Others stress loss of a shared morality, uninhibited exercise of power, and/or hedonism.

Existentialism is often associated with philosophers and writers such as Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Jaspers, Marcel, Sartre, Camus, Dostoevsky and Kafka.
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fraughtfull of something that causes concern
I liked that he took existentially fraught free throws.p.31.82 more
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The week following the diagnosis was fraught with difficult choices.more
filled (with something negative)
Show general definition full of negative things; or marked by or causing distress
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humiliatehumiliate → humiliated:extremely embarrassed or with wounded dignity
The Augustus Waters of the crooked smiles and unsmoked cigarettes was gone, replaced by this desperate humiliated creature sitting there beneath me.p.245.31 more
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She felt humiliated by his public insults.more
humiliate → humiliated:extremely embarrassed (feeling decreased dignity)
Show general definition extremely embarrass (decrease dignity, self-respect, or pride -- especially in front of others)