The Princess Bride — Vocabulary
William Goldman
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	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 There was, however, a second group of criminals, those who realized that capture meant, for various past performances, death, and these, without exception, resisted.†p.264.89 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.
	2	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 But since no one in Guilder could know yet what we've done, and no one in Florin could have gotten here so quickly, he is definitely not, however much it may look like it, following us.p.110.69 more regardless of how Show general definition for however (as in: However much she tried...) to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)
	22	top 2000
ravinedeep, narrow, steep-sided valley The car plunged into a 15-foot ravine.more Show sample from book They were running along the edge of a towering ravine.†p.183.321 more Show general definition a deep, narrow, steep-sided gorge or valley -- especially one formed by running water
	7	top 2000
anguishpain I felt unbearable anguish when my 4-year-old child died from brain cancer.more Show sample from book The whys behind the screams interested him fully as much as the anguish itself.†p.245.46 more extreme pain, suffering, or distress Show general definition extreme pain, suffering, or distress (of body or mind)
	4	top 500
crucialvery important Doing well on the ACT is crucial to getting into the college I want to attend.more Show sample from book Because when she died of murder on their wedding night, it was crucial that all Florin realize the depth of his love, the epochal size of his loss, since then no one would dare hesitate to follow him in the revenge war he was to launch against Guilder.†p.244.43 more Show general definition very important or necessary -- often because it determines how something else will turn out
	3	top 200
ornatehaving lots of decorative detail The hotel is decorated with ornate furniture, lots of carved designs, and gold leaf gilding.more Show sample from book Each step was perhaps a foot in width, so he was six feet from Fezzik, six feet from the large, ornate green-handled door that opened onto the final level.†p.304.42 more Show general definition highly decorative or elaborate in style — whether in appearance (with lots of detail) or in language that sounds flowery and overly complicated
	4	top 1000
ponderthink about The question the audience is left to ponder is...more Show sample from book Adela, flattered, began to ponder on the truth of the statement.†p.40.83 more think deeply or carefully about Show general definition to think deeply or carefully about something
	4	top 1000
narrativeStory He titled his autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.more Show sample from book Why would a master of narrative stop his narrative dead before it has much chance to begin generating?†p.73.43 more story Show general definition for narrative (as in: Narrative of the Life of...) a story; or related to a story
	5	top 2000
agonyintense suffering She was in agony from a toothache.more Show sample from book It was agony keeping her arms outstretched and her fingers spread when it was all so useless.†p.204.14 more Show general definition intense feelings of suffering -- can be from mental or physical pain
	2	top 100
varybe different Your mileage may vary.more Show sample from book They were made in varying sizes, and the Prince's looked to be one of the largest, being wrist thick where it joined the handle.†p.344.41 more 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."
	2	top 100
factorthing (that influenced a result) Cost was an important factor in our decision.more Show sample from book As an architect, he had been crucial in the safety factors involved in the Zoo of Death, and it had undeniably been Rugen who had arranged for the only survivable entrance being the underground fifth-level one.†p.254.41 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."
	4	top 1000
tauntintentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone She used Twitter to taunt the opposing candidate.more Show sample from book "The six-fingered man taunts you," Yeste called.†p.137.93 more taunt → taunts:(verb) intentionally angers, challenges, or upsets someone OR (noun) insults or other actions intended to anger, challenge, or upset someone Show general definition to intentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone -- especially by mocking them or hurling insults or (as a noun): an insult or other action intended to anger, challenge, or upset someone
	3	top 1000
commotiondisturbance I looked up to see what caused the commotion.more Show sample from book IT WAS NOT, in point of fact, her Westley that was causing the commotion out front.†p.333.82 more noisy disturbance Show general definition a disturbance -- typically noisy
	2	top 200
optimisticexpecting the best I'm optimistic that I'll get into a good college.more Show sample from book Still, he was an eternal optimist, so he kept the great cage of the fifth level always in readiness.†p.75.81 more optimistic → optimist:someone who expects the best; or who focuses on the good part of things Show general definition expecting the best; or focusing on the good part of things
	4	top 1000
reclusesomeone withdrawn from society (living alone and avoiding contact with others) He became a recluse after his wife passed away.more Show sample from book Seventy-two inches from death now The green speckled recluse doesn't destroy as quickly as the stonefish.†p.305.33 more someone withdrawn from society (living alone and avoiding contact) Show general definition someone withdrawn from society (living alone and avoiding contact)
	4
deducededuce → deduced:concluded by reasoning From the muddy footprints and the open window, she deduced that someone had snuck into the house.more Show sample from book But now she had it all diagnosed, deduced, clear.†p.56.93 more Show general definition conclude by reasoning -- especially reasoning from the general to the particular
	3
infatuatedobsessed or intensely attracted She was completely infatuated with her new neighbor and couldn't stop thinking about him.more Show sample from book She could chide herself for her silly infatuation with a dullard.†p.60.62 more infatuated → infatuation:deeply but often foolishly in love with or obsessed with someone or something Show general definition deeply but often foolishly in love with or obsessed with someone or something
	3
conceitexcessive pride Her conceit will be her downfall.more Show sample from book Conceited, Buttercup thought.†p.104.22 more conceit → conceited:excessively proud of oneself Show general definition for conceit (as in: confident, but not conceited) excessive pride in oneself, arrogance, or vanity
	2	top 2000
guilecunning (shrewdness and cleverness) and deceit Her intelligence was exceeded only by her guile.more Show sample from book Because the Sicilian had a dream: with his guile plus the Turk's strength plus the Spaniard's sword, they might become the most effective criminal organization in the civilized world.†p.141.81 more cunning (shrewdness and cleverness) and deceitful Show general definition cunning (shrewdness and cleverness) and deceitful
	1	top 100
omitomit → omitted:left out She recounted the whole story except that she omitted names.more Show sample from book Just as the chapters on whaling in Moby-Dick can be omitted by all but the most punishment-loving readers, so the packing scenes that Morgenstern details here are really best left alone.†p.83.9 omit → omitted:to exclude or neglect something Show general definition to exclude or neglect something