Freakonomics — Vocabulary
Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	51	top 100
correlatecorrelate → correlation:a relationship between two things so that one can be predicted from the other My opponent is confusing correlation with causation. Just because kids who play violent video games are also more likely to behave violently, doesn't mean the video games cause the violence.more Show context notes Just because you can guess 'A' from 'B' doesn’t mean 'A' changes 'B.' Something else, like 'C,' might affect both, and that’s why 'A' can be guessed from 'B.' For example, children with larger shoe sizes are likely to know more math. It's not that shoe size helps with math, it's that older children tend to have larger feet and know more math. Show sample from book But just because two things are correlated does not mean that one causes the other.†p.8.850 more correlate → correlated:related such that a change in one thing helps predict a change in another Show context notes Just because you can guess 'A' from 'B' doesn’t mean 'A' changes 'B.' Something else, like 'C,' might affect both, and that’s why 'A' can be guessed from 'B.' For example, children with larger shoe sizes are likely to know more math. It's not that shoe size helps with math, it's that older children tend to have larger feet and know more math. Show general definition to find or have a connection or relationship between two things, such that a change in one helps predict a change in the other Show editor's word notes Just because you can guess 'A' from 'B' doesn’t mean 'A' changes 'B.' Something else, like 'C,' might affect both, and that’s why 'A' can be guessed from 'B.' For example, children with larger shoe sizes are likely to know more math. It's not that shoe size helps with math, it's that older children tend to have larger feet and know more math.
	89	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 All she had wanted was an abortion.†p.3.988 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
	7	top 100
establishestablish → established:created Which word choice best maintains the tone established in the first paragraph?more Show sample from book His reputation for candid thinking on race was already well established.p.184.67 more establish → established:set (firmly existing) Show general definition for establish (as in: establish a positive tone) create, start, or set in [a] place
	1	top 100
establish#2establish → establishing:showing or demonstrating The passage is primarily about establishing the relationship between the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and global temperature.more Show sample from book In examining the income gap between black and white adults—it is well established that blacks earn significantly less—scholars have found that the gap is virtually eradicated if the blacks' lower eighth-grade test scores are taken into account.p.161.27 more establish → established:known or proven Show general definition for establish (as in: establish that there is a need) show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
	14	top 500
economicsthe study of how limited resources are allocated in an attempt to satisfy unlimited wants I don't know much about economics, but I know her plan doesn't make sense.more Show sample from book Morality, it could be argued, represents the way that people would like the world to work—whereas economics represents how it actually does work.†p.11.913 more the study of how limited resources are allocated in an attempt to satisfy unlimi…
	11	top 200
innovateinnovate → innovative:introducing things that are new and different Apple is considered one of the most innovative companies.more Show sample from book It was the sort of innovative policing strategies put into place in New York City, where murders would fall from 2,262 in 1990 to 540 in 2005.†p.3.310 more innovate → innovative:new and different Show general definition bring something new to an environment
	2	top 100
correspondcorrespond → corresponds:is equivalent The girls are using a simple code where "1" corresponds to "A", "2" to "B" and so on for each of the 26 letters of the alphabet.more Show sample from book The letter a, b, c, or d indicates a correct answer; a number indicates a wrong answer, with 1 corresponding to a, 2 corresponding to b, and so on.p.27.53 more correspond → corresponding:equivalent (representing the same value) Show general definition for correspond (as in: corresponding time period) connect or fit together by being equivalent, proportionate, or matched (Two things are equivalent if they have the same or very similar value, purpose, or result.)
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correspondentreporter Let's get a report from our correspondent in Mexico City.more Show sample from book Years later, when he served as a rare white correspondent for the Pittsburgh Courier, the country's largest black newspaper, he wrote under the pseudonym Daddy Mention—after a black folk hero who, as myth told it, could outrun the blast of a sheriff's shotgun.p.54.63 more Show general definition for correspondent (as in: foreign correspondent of the paper) a reporter or other representative -- typically from a foreign country or with a particular expertise
	10	top 1000
variablechangeable The weather in this region is highly variable, shifting from sunshine to thunderstorms within hours.more Show context notes The suffix "-able" in variable means able to be. This is the same pattern you see in words like breakable, understandable, and comfortable. Note that when "-able" is placed at the end of a word that ends in "Y", the "Y" is often replaced with "I" as in enviable and deniable. Show sample from book Correlation is nothing more than a statistical term that indicates whether two variables move together.†p.163.49 more variable → variables:things that are able to change Show general definition able to change, or something that is able to change Show editor's word notes A variable in mathematics refers more specifically to a symbol that represents a value or a set of values.
	6	top 100
phenomenonsomething that is of special interest It is a growing social phenomenon on high school campuses.more Show sample from book While crack use was hardly a black-only phenomenon, it hit black neighborhoods much harder than most.†p.111.95 more something that exists or happened -- often of special interest Show general definition something that exists or happened -- especially something of special interest -- sometimes someone or something that is extraordinary Show editor's word notes "Phenomenons" and "phenomena" are both appropriate plural forms of this noun. "Phenomena" is generally used in scientific or philosophical contexts.
	6	top 500
diversevaried (in this case, of different ethnic groups and genders) The college wants a diverse student body.more Show sample from book Though extraordinarily diverse, these crimes all have a common trait: they were sins of information.†p.66.25 more varied; OR (having differences amongst things of the same kind) Show general definition varied or (having differences amongst things of the same kind) -- especially with regard to ideas or members of a population group
	7	top 1000
urbancity The planners want to revitalize the downtown and limit urban sprawl.more Show sample from book They constituted the sort of criminals, petty and otherwise, who sucked the life out of urban areas.†p.109.56 more Show general definition relating to a city
	44	top 100
factorthing (that influenced a result) Cost was an important factor in our decision.more Show sample from book It was, among other factors, the reality that the pool of potential criminals had dramatically shrunk.†p.5.144 more factor → factors:things that affect 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."
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factor#2include consideration of Did you factor maintenance costs into your budget?more Show sample from book What happens when the whistle-blowers' corroborating evidence is factored into the analysis of the match data?p.43.544 more factor → factored:considered (for affect on a result or outcome)
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algorithmprecise instructions specifying how to solve some problem We wrote a computer algorithm to find words that would interest you.more Show sample from book Now it was time to construct an algorithm that could tease some conclusions from this mass of data.†p.26.39 more Show general definition precise instructions specifying how to solve some problem
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deterrentsomething that discourages something not wanted How effective is the death penalty as an additional deterrent?more Show sample from book Which is a more horrifying deterrent: a $500 fine for soliciting a prostitute or the thought of your friends and family ogling you on www.HookersAndJohns.com?†p.18.67 more Show general definition something that discourages something not wanted
	5	top 1000
disparitydifference There is a noticeable disparity in income levels across different regions of the country.more Show sample from book In addition to economic and social disparity between blacks and whites, Fryer had become intrigued by the virtual segregation of culture.†p.184.94 more a difference between things Show general definition a difference between things
	1	top 1000
condemnstrongly criticize We condemn racism wherever it is found.more Show sample from book An athlete who gets caught cheating is generally condemned, but most fans at least appreciate his motive: he wanted so badly to win that he bent the rules.p.37.61 more condemn → condemned:strongly criticized Show general definition for condemn (as in: She condemned their plan) express strong criticism
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condemn#2condemn → condemned:declared not suitable to be occupied The building was condemned by the inspector.more Show sample from book These buildings were condemned, practically abandoned.p.90.81 more condemn → condemned:declared not suitable for occupation Show general definition for condemn (as in: condemned the building) an official government finding that a building is not suitable to be occupied
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conducivehelpful The dorm room was not conducive to studying.more Show sample from book For any of a hundred reasons, she may feel that she cannot provide a home environment that is conducive to raising a healthy and productive child.†p.138.31 more helpful; or tending to contribute (to something) Show general definition helpful; or tending to contribute (to something)