Before I Fall — Vocabulary
Lauren Oliver
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	10	top 2000
sobernot under the influence of alcohol She was still sober enough to know the situation was dangerous.more Show sample from book I've never been this sober around people this wasted, and I say a brief prayer that I'm not half as annoying as they are when I'm drunk.p.308.712 more Show general definition for sober (as in: Talk to me when your sober.) not under the influence of alcohol
	3	top 2000
sober upbecome less drunk Coffee doesn't really help one to sober up; though it does help fight sleepiness.more Show sample from book I feel like I'm sobering up after drinking all night.p.207.612 more sober up → sobering up:becoming less drunk (or getting completely past drunkenness) Show general definition for sober up (as in: I need to sober up.) to become less drunk or intoxicated
	10	top 1000
collidecollide → collided:crashed together with violent impact The cars collided and burst into flame.more Show sample from book We collide so hard it takes me a second to recover my breath.†p.160.29 more crash together with violent impact; OR come into conflict Show general definition crash together with violent impact; or come into conflict
	6	top 2000
coincidencea situation where things happened at the same time by chance even though it was unlikely It was a pure coincidence that both got sick the same weekend.more Show sample from book For a moment my stomach clenches, thinking she's making fun of me, but it's a coincidence.†p.77.65 more Show general definition a situation where two things happened at the same time or in the same way by chance even though it was unlikely
	6	top 2000
paranoidexcessively suspicious that others want to harm you Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you.Joseph Heller — Catch-22more Show sample from book For one paranoid second I'm sure she's talking about me—that somehow she has just read my mind—but then her friends explode with laughter, and one of them says, "I know."p.353.55 more with excessive fear Show general definition for paranoid (used casually) excessively suspicious that others want to harm you; or excessively fearful
	4	top 1000
ebbebb → ebbed:gradually declined The patient's strength ebbed away.more Show sample from book Three faces blooming together like flowers on a single stem, names ebbing away from me, a single word: love.†p.468.73 more ebb → ebbing:declining -- typically gradually as with the height of the tide Show general definition decline -- typically gradually as with the height of the tide
	5	top 2000
ironywhen what happens is very different than what might be expected She didn't see the irony in acting like the mother she detested.more Show sample from book Plus I hate my English teacher, Mrs. Harbor. ... Even though she's probably only in her fifties, I'm pretty sure she's losing it. That's how it started with my grandmother: ... When my grandmother was still alive we would visit her, and even though I was no more than six, I remember thinking: I hope I die young. There's a definition of irony for you, Mrs. Harbor. Or maybe foreshadowing?p.44.94 more when what happened was very different than what might have been expected Show general definition for irony (as in: situational irony) when what happens is very different than what might be expected; or when things are together that seem like they don't belong together -- especially when amusing or an entertaining coincidence Show editor's word notes This is sometimes referred to as "situational irony." The term is especially appropriate when actions have consequences opposite to those intended. The expression ironic smile, generally references someone smiling at situational irony. All forms of irony involve the perception that things are not what they might seem.
	5	top 2000
hysteriastate of excessive, uncontrolled emotion We need to get past the hysteria and decide what to do.more Show sample from book Her voice breaks a little, a note of hysteria creeping in.†p.408.74 more a state of excessive, uncontrollable emotion Show general definition a state of excessive, uncontrollable emotion Show editor's word notes In addition to being the adjective form of hysteria, the form hysterical can also indicate that something is exceedingly funny (leading to uncontrollable laughter)
	4	top 1000
recedediminish (decrease) Interest in the story is beginning to recede.more Show sample from book I feel myself nodding and her face recedes.†p.110.93 more recede → recedes:moves away or diminishes (becomes less) Show general definition to move away or diminish (become less) The exact meaning of recede depends upon its context. For example: "We can't move back in until the floodwaters recede." -- diminish and move away "Her fear receded." -- diminished "The waves first advance and then recede." -- move away "The news story receded into the background as it was replaced by new stories." -- received diminished attention "a receding hairline" -- diminished hair (each year the line where hair stops growing is higher on the forehead) "She has a receding chin." -- sloping back (as contrasted to sticking out)
	3	top 1000
sereneserene → serenely:calmly and peacefully While I lie awake worrying, she sleeps serenely.more Show sample from book My headlights sweep over a crooked green street sign fifty feet ahead: Serenity Place.†p.296.52 more serene → serenity:untroubled calm Show general definition calm and untroubled
	4	top 2000
alcoverecessed (pushing outward from the main room) It is a beautiful room with an alcove window.more Show sample from book Tara and I skirt around the dining room table—my mom would have a coronary from excitement, it must seat at least twelve—and out into a kind of alcove.†p.246.43 more a recessed or secluded space -- such as in a room or garden Show general definition a recessed or secluded space -- such as in a room or garden Show editor's word notes The alcove of a room is a smaller room attached to a larger room and separated by an arch or other architectural feature other than a door.
	2	top 1000
distortalter in an unnatural or untrue way These sunglasses distort my vision.more Show sample from book Words are distorted and music sounds the way it does at a carnival, like all the notes are off balance and just colliding with one another.†p.116.51 more distort → distorted:altered in an unnatural or untrue way Show general definition to alter something in an unnatural or untrue way
	2	top 500
waverwaver → wavered:faltered (stopped being strong) Through good times and bad her love for him has never wavered.more Show sample from book His smile doesn't waver.†p.31.31 more to move back and forth (shake or quiver); OR to change, be unsure, or weak Show general definition to move back and forth (shake or quiver) or: to change, be unsure, or weak
	2	top 1000
migratemove from one place to another The birds migrate in the Winter.more Show sample from book One time I was lying stretched out on top of the rock, staring at the sky all pink and purple like the stretch taffy at carnivals, and I saw hundreds of geese migrating, a perfect V. A single feather floated down through the air and landed directly next to my hand.†p.279.11 more migrate → migrating:moving from one place to another Show general definition move from one place to another -- sometimes seasonally
	7
déjà vuthe strange feeling of having lived the current moment before As she walked through the old town, she had a strong sense of déjà vu, as if she had been there before.more Show sample from book "I feel like I'm having déjà vu," Elody says.†p.91.16 more the strange feeling of having lived the current moment before… Show general definition the strange feeling of having lived the current moment before; or referring to something as similar to what has happened before
	4
rifeexcessively filled The internet is rife with misinformation, making it hard to know what to believe.more Show sample from book He's talking to Phoebe Rifer and they're laughing about something.†p.61.33 more Show general definition excessively abundant -- especially something unpleasant
	2	top 2000
melodramaexaggerated drama The show’s final episode was pure melodrama—sudden betrayals, secret siblings, and a wedding interrupted by a long-lost lover.more Show sample from book "This, my friends, was an emergency," she said, and we all laughed because she was being melodramatic as usual.†p.249.81 more melodrama → melodramatic:a story or behavior that is overly dramatic Show general definition a story or behavior that is overly dramatic
	2
flauntflaunt → flaunts:shows it off She is wealthier than her neighbors, but she never flaunts it.more Show sample from book "If you got it, flaunt it," I say, making my voice soft and steady.†p.196.21 more flaunt → flaunt it:show it off Show general definition the act of showing off (displaying something in an obvious way for others to admire or envy) or: openly defiant of rules or expectations
	2
vertigodizziness I felt a sense of vertigo as I looked over the ledge.more Show sample from book For a moment I feel a hot flush of embarrassment, like nausea or vertigo.†p.202.51 more a dizzy sensation or a feeling that you are about to fall Show general definition a dizzy sensation or a feeling that you are about to fall
	2
hamstrungmake less effective Efforts are hamstrung by outdated regulations.more Show sample from book Never mind the cramp snaking up my hamstrings and thighs: I've got amazing gossip to spread.†p.158.81 more hamstrung → hamstrings:makes less effective or powerless Show general definition for hamstrung (as in: hamstrung by excessive rules) make less effective or powerless Show editor's word notes Hamstrung originally referred to cutting of tendons or hind legs of cattle or other animals, so that they could not escape.