Paper Towns — Vocabulary
John Green
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	15	top 2000
interstatefreeway, or highway that runs between states There was an accident on the interstate.more Show context notes When a word begins with the prefix, "inter-", the prefix often means between. In this case, interstate means between different states. Interstate is often used as an abbreviation for interstate highway, a highway that runs between states. It has also come to mean freeway in a place like Hawaii where no major highway connects to another state. Show sample from book Radar turns left onto the highway at a somewhat unsafe speed, and then merges back onto the interstate.†p.254.414 more freeway, or highway that runs between states… Show context notes When a word begins with the prefix, "inter-", the prefix often means between. In this case, interstate means between different states. Interstate is often used as an abbreviation for interstate highway, a highway that runs between states. It has also come to mean freeway in a place like Hawaii where no major highway connects to another state. Show general definition for interstate (as in: interstate commerce) freeway, or highway that runs between states or: relating to the mutual relations between states -- especially of the United States Show editor's word notes Note that interstate is often contrasted with intrastate. An intrastate highway is used to move from one location in a state to another, rather than to move between states. Similarly, interstate commerce is business between states; whereas intrastate commerce affects a state without affecting other states. Under the U.S. Constitution, the interstate/intrastate distinction is important when determining when the federal government has authority to override state government.
	10	top 500
perpetualcontinuing forever A perpetual flame burns beside the grave of John F. Kennedy.more Show sample from book On each calendar, it is perpetually February of 1986.†p.147.89 more perpetual → perpetually:continuing forever without change; OR occurring so frequently it seems constant Show general definition continuing forever without change; or occurring so frequently it seems constant
	10	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 "It's a metaphor for adolescence," my mother piped up.†p.86.19 more 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 mean 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.
	8	top 2000
designatedesignate → designated:assigned (for a particular purpose) I'll be the designated driver.more Show sample from book Yay, Designated Driver!p.177.57 more designate → designated:assigned Show general definition for designate (as in: designated driver) assign someone or something for a particular purpose
	1	top 500
resolveresolve → resolved:decided This year I resolved to lose a pound a week for 5 weeks.more Show sample from book I resolved right then to stay until morning.p.168.11 more Show general definition for resolve (as in: I resolved to stop drinking.) to decide -- typically a firm or formal decision Show editor's word notes In modern writing resolve is typically used to emphasize a firm or formal decision. In classic literature, it is used more frequently and often simply replaces decide or determine.
	1	top 500
resolve#2resolve → resolved:settled or solved Three of the five issues have already been resolved.more Show sample from book Lots of, uh, unresolved issues on my side.p.285.51 more resolve → unresolved:not settled or solved Show context notes The prefix "un-" in unresolved means not and reverses the meaning of resolved. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky. Show general definition for resolve (as in: How was the problem resolved?) to solve a problem, settle a disagreement, or for a situation to change
	3	top 100
themean idea that is unifying or recurrent The party had a 1950's theme.more Show sample from book I took 1-4 west toward Kissimmee and the theme parks, and then passed I-Drive where Margo and I had broken into SeaWorld, and then took Highway 27 down toward Haines City.p.164.62 more theme → theme parks:amusement parks each of which have one or more basic underlying ideas -- such as the "Magic Kingdom" of Disneyworld Show general definition for theme (as in: theme of the novel) a basic idea that underlies what is being said or done -- especially in a literary or artistic work
	4	top 500
approximateapproximate → approximately:about The state has approximately as many Republicans as Democrats.more Show sample from book Four of the holes made an approximate square, and then there were five holes inside the square.†p.169.43 more almost, but not exact Show general definition almost, but not exact; or similar
	3	top 100
varybe different Your mileage may vary.more Show sample from book Varying degrees of sick, varying degrees of neurotic, varying degrees of self-actualized.†p.198.4 vary → varying:differing; or changing Show general definition to be different, or to change Show editor's word notes Vary is often used to describe small differences or changes--especially about things of the same type. It would be more common to say "The weight of full-grown elephants varies depending upon diet and other factors," than to say "The weight of elephants varies from that of mice."
	3	top 500
nostalgianostalgia → nostalgic:with a longing for something past The music makes me feel nostalgic.more Show sample from book A voice in my head was like: WARNING NOSTALGIA ALERT WARNING WARNING WARNING.†p.197.72 more 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
	3	top 500
underminegradually weaken She has taken every opportunity to undermine my influence with the team.more Show sample from book Constantly undermining me.†p.50.82 more undermine → undermining:weakening gradually Show general definition weaken gradually
	2	top 100
analysisdetailed examination According to my analysis, we should focus on improving customer service.more Show sample from book And to think: these people specialize in the analysis and understanding of the human psyche.p.232.41 more Show general definition for analysis (as in: analysis of relevant data) the process or result of examining and thinking about something to better understand it
	2	top 200
inherentbuilt-in or natural The Declaration of Independence began by recognizing the inherent dignity and rights of each person.more Show sample from book "Aren't rhetorical accusations of passive aggression inherently passive-aggressive?" my dad responded, and they went on like that for a while.†p.28.11 more inherent → inherently:in a manner that exists as an inseparable part or characteristic Show general definition existing as an inseparable part or characteristic Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice): Less-common, but more specific synonyms include "innate" and "intrinsic." You might choose "innate" when referring to a living entity's inherent characteristic since birth (e.g., an innate intelligence) or to a characteristic that is not obvious at first glance (e.g., "Government has an innate tendency to grow.") You might choose "intrinsic" when referring to an inherent characteristic upon which other characteristics depend (e.g., "Steel beams were intrinsic to the design.")
	3	top 2000
bequeathpass down It is our duty to bequeath a better world to our grandchildren.more Show sample from book I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow from the grass I love, / If you want me again look for me under your bootsoles.†p.142.82 more give or pass down -- often upon death in a will Show general definition give or pass down -- often upon death in a will
	3
itinerarytravel schedule The travel agency suggested this itinerary for a fourteen-day vacation to Europe.more Show sample from book Had she brought me here to give me the clues to piece together an itinerary?†p.175.82 more a planned schedule of events -- often for a trip or for a day Show general definition a planned schedule of events -- often for a trip or for a day
	3
metropolislarge, important city I want to live and work in the middle of a vibrant metropolis.more Show sample from book How do you pinpoint a spot on the map when the spot seems to be moving from metropolis to metropolis?†p.230.82 more city Show general definition city -- especially a large city that is considered important
	1
highlighthighlight → highlights:best parts Did you watch the video highlights?more Show sample from book "On time" for us was thirty minutes before school actually started, because the half hour before the first bell was the highlight of our social calendars: standing outside the side door that led into the band room and just talking.p.11.419 more best part Show general definition for highlight (as in: highlights of the year) something that stands out
	1
highlight#2highlight → highlights:strips of hair that are lighter in color The salon added highlights to her hair.more Show sample from book "Her hair is ridiculous," I said. "I know. That was the only thing I said about her that was true. When you say nasty things about people, you should never say the true ones, because you can't really fully and honestly take those back, you know? I mean, there are highlights. And there are streaks. And then there are skunk stripes."p.46.819 more Show general definition for highlight (as in: highlights in hair) noun: a strip of hair that is lighter verb: making strips of hair lighter
	18
highlight#3highlight → highlighted:marked important text The previous owner of the book highlighted with a yellow marker, so I'm using a green one.more Show sample from book I think about things she highlighted: "To die is different from what any one supposed, and luckier."p.142.719 more highlight → highlighted:marked as important Show general definition for highlight (as in: highlights with a yellow marker) to mark important text; or something that is marked to draw attention to it -- as with a felt-tip pen with a bright, transparent ink
	2	top 2000
adulterateadulterate → adulterated:made impure by adding a foreign substance Heroine is often adulterated with other chemicals that add to the overdose risk.more Show sample from book My locker was an unadulterated crap hole—half trash can, half book storage.†p.228.11 more adulterate → unadulterated:pure or complete Show context notes The prefix "un-" in unadulterated means not and reverses the meaning of adulterated. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky. Show general definition corrupt, debase, or make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance