The Graveyard Book — Vocabulary
Neil Gaiman
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	20	top 1000
gauntvery thin She looked gaunt from the chemotherapy.more Show sample from book All she said was, "Night-Gaunt?"†p.72.519 more very thin and bony Show general definition very thin and bony -- often from hunger or as though having been worn to the bone
	9	top 2000
inhabitantinhabitant → inhabitants:people (who live in a particular place) What will traffic be like if the city has twice as many inhabitants?more Show sample from book It's always easier to die gently, to wake in due time in the place you were buried, to come to terms with your death and to get acquainted with the other inhabitants.†p.15.78 more Show general definition a person who lives in a particular place
	7	top 2000
parisha local church community or in some places including Louisiana: a jurisdiction of government like a county Are we talking about a governmental or a religious parish?more Show sample from book Past Harrison Westwood, Baker of this Parish, and his wives, Marion and Joan?†p.100.46 more a local church community…
	2	top 100
compositionoriginal musical creation Her latest composition blends classical melodies with modern electronic beats.more Show sample from book And so it went, until it was time for Grammar and Composition with Miss Letitia Borrows, Spinster of this Parish (Who Did No Harm to No Man all the Dais of Her Life. Reader, Can You Say Likewise?).p.106.51 more writing Show general definition for composition (as in: an original composition) a creative work, the way the creative work is put together, or the act of creating it Show editor's word notes Context will sometimes make clear that the creative work is the writing of music or an essay, but it can anything -- such as the way the components of a picture are arranged.
	4	top 1000
writhewrithe → writhed:moved in a twisting or contorted motion The patient writhed in pain.more Show sample from book She wanted to see that Owens kid, who she blamed for everything that had happened to her so far, writhing in miserable agony.†p.205.83 more writhe → writhing:moving in a twisting or contorted motion Show general definition to move in a twisting or contorted motion -- often of a person when struggling or in pain
	2	top 200
dubiousquestionable or unreliable The theory is based on dubious evidence that hasn’t been verified.more Show sample from book Mrs. Owens walked inside, looking dubiously at the shelves, and at the old wooden pews tipped up against a wall.†p.27.21 more dubious → dubiously:doubtfully or suspiciously Show general definition doubtful, questionable, or suspicious -- especially in a way that makes something seem unreliable, improper, or uncertain doubtful in various senses, including: questionable or doubtful that something should be relied upon -- as in "The argument relies on a dubious assumption." suspicious or doubtful that something is morally proper -- as in "The company is accused of using dubious sales practices to influence minors." bad or of questionable value -- as in "The state has the dubious distinction of the highest taxes." uncertain or doubtful -- as in "She is dubious about making the change."
	2	top 500
earnestearnest → in earnest:in a serious manner I began training in earnest the summer before high school.more Show sample from book A crack of thunder rang out, loud and sudden as a gunshot, and the rain began in earnest.†p.32.71 more earnest → in earnest:serious; or in a serious manner Show general definition characterized by sincere belief or: intensely or excessively serious or determined
	4	top 2000
nimblequick and agile She watched her daughter's nimble fingers type instructions into the iPhone.more Show sample from book Nimble and Ketch, get that girl.†p.259.23 more Show general definition quick and agile -- typically physically, but can also reference quick, agile thinking (someone who is agile does things easily)
	2	top 500
acquireobtain (get) Children acquire language at an amazing rate.more Show sample from book Still, I do not doubt that you will acquire even those, in time.†p.37.91 more obtain (come into the possession of something) Show general definition obtain (come into the possession of something)
	2	top 1000
sequenceordered set The sequence of events leading to the accident was carefully reviewed by the investigators.more Show sample from book Now he was in utter darkness, feeling himself being pitched forward in a sequence of jerks and rushes, the wind rushing past him.†p.78.91 more arranged in a specific order Show general definition a set of things arranged or happening in a specific order -- often chronological order
	2	top 1000
dismalterrible The coach will probably be replaced after such a dismal year.more Show sample from book It was a request stop on the side of the hill, just past a large pair of open iron gates, and it looked uninviting and dismal.†p.219.61 more depressing or gloomy Show general definition of terrible quality or depressing; or dark and dreary (as when bad weather blocks the sun or when it is drizzly)
	3	top 2000
apprenticelearner on the job After high school, Bella began work as an apprentice at a local bakery, waking up before dawn to help make bread and learn the craft.more Show sample from book Thackeray was a big boy—he had been fourteen when he died, following his initiation as an apprentice to a master house painter: he had been given eight copper pennies and told not to come back without a half-a-gallon of red and white striped paint for painting barber's poles.†p.174.82 more person who learns a trade or skill through hands-on experience under a skilled w… Show general definition person who learns a trade or skill through hands-on experience under a skilled worker; or (as a verb) performance of that kind of work
	2	top 1000
reproachreproach → reproached:criticized and expressed disappointment She reproached him for treating his sister so thoughtlessly.more Show sample from book However, I believe I shall leave it to your parents to administer whatever discipline and reproach they believe to be needed.†p.140.21 more a criticism; or to express criticism Show general definition a criticism; or to express criticism or disappointment -- especially where a relationship makes the disapproval result in disappointment or shame Show editor's word notes The expression "beyond reproach" is often used to indicate that one must not only be careful to do everything right, but must be careful not to do anything that might make people suspect they did something wrong. For example, politicians often need to behave in a manner that is beyond reproach. "Beyond reproach" can also suggest that something is perfect. More rarely, it can also be used to suggest that someone is too powerful or too well-connected to criticize.
	2	top 1000
suppresssuppress → suppressed:kept from spreading She claimed that Facebook suppressed and promoted news that met a political agenda.more Show sample from book He could feel himself beginning to panic, and he suppressed it, pushing the worry back down inside him.†p.125.41 more suppress → suppressed:kept or tried to keep under control Show general definition trying to keep under control The exact meaning of suppress can depend upon its context. For example: "suppressed the revolution" -- to stop others from doing something by force "suppressed a smile" -- kept something from happening "suppressed the story" -- kept news from spreading "suppressed her fear" -- controlled an emotion "suppressed the memory" -- avoided thinking about (perhaps even removed from conscious memory) Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice): Suppress and repress can be interchanged; though in psychology something that is repressed is done unconsciously while something that is suppressed is done voluntarily.
	3	top 1000
posterityfuture generations We must secure the benefits of freedom for ourselves and our posterity.more Show sample from book Posterity is vast.†p.234.52 more all future generations Show general definition all future generations
	4
obeliskstone pillar with a pyramidal top The Washington Monument, a towering obelisk in the National Mall, is a tribute to the first President of the United States.more Show sample from book The horse paused beside the obelisk.†p.30.63 more a stone pillar with a pyramidal top erected as a monument to remember a person o… Show general definition a stone pillar with a pyramidal top erected as a monument to remember a person or event
	2	top 1000
affablegood natured and sociable She's an affable, never-met-someone-she-didn't-like kind of woman.more Show sample from book Suddenly he was all affability.†p.122.21 more affable → affability:the quality or degree of being good natured and sociable
	3
preludesomething that comes before and warns of what is to come The sudden drop in temperatures was only a prelude to the massive snowstorm that hit the city the next day.more Show sample from book If the music Bod had heard until then was a prelude, it was a prelude no longer.†p.158.52 more something that comes before and prepares for what follows; in music, a short pie… Show general definition something that comes before and prepares for what follows; in music, a short piece that introduces a larger work or stands alone as a brief, expressive piece (often for piano) Show editor's word notes In everyday use, a prelude is an event or action that leads up to something more important, like a small disagreement being a prelude to a larger conflict. In music, the word can mean a short opening piece (for example, before an opera scene) or a short, self-contained work, often written for piano or organ, that sets a mood.
	2
macabregruesome or death-related It is a macabre tale of the walking dead.more Show sample from book CHAPTER FIVE — Dance Macabre†p.144.11 more disturbing and related to death or horror -- especially in a grim or eerie way Show general definition disturbing and related to death or horror -- especially in a grim or eerie way
	1	top 500
diversevaried (in this case, of different ethnic groups and genders) The college wants a diverse student body.more Show sample from book They all spoke English when they talked to each other, or to the waiters, but the accents were as diverse as the gentlemen.†p.168.1 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