The One and Only Ivan — Vocabulary
Katherine Applegate
(Edited)

Book sample Uses ACT/SAT
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principleprinciple → principles:basic rules or beliefs of what is right
For example, it's against my principles to do my daughter's homework for her.p.195.31 more
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I accept as a basic principle that all people are precious and should be treated with equal dignity.more
belief
Show general definition a basic rule or belief
The exact meaning of principle can depend upon its context. For example:
  • "our guiding principles" -- basic moral beliefs that guide decisions and behavior
  • "electromagnetic principles" -- rules describing how the world works
  • "She lacks principles." -- lacks moral guidelines
  • "We agree in principle." -- about important basic beliefs
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accompanyaccompany → accompanied:joined at the same time
Words flash on the screen, accompanied by a drawing of a red giraffe.p.186.2
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The trend is easily seen in the accompanying graph.more
accompany → accompanying:provided together
Show general definition for accompany (as in: the accompanying chart) to be present with at the same time and/or location -- sometimes provided to make something more complete or better
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sullensullen → sullenly:unhappily
I watch Ruby trudge sullenly through the four-o'clock show, and I wonder: What will happen if I fail?p.200.81 more
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She changed from a happy, outgoing child to sullen teenager.more
unhappy and withdrawn
Show general definition for sullen (as in: a sullen mood) being unhappy (and often withdrawn)
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wistfulshowing longing or unfulfilled desire
We stare across the expanse that separates us. After a while, George pats Julia's arm. "Time to go, Jules."
Julia gives a wistful smile. "Bye, Ivan. Say hello to your new family."p.300.21 more
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Sitting in her wheelchair, the old woman looked wistfully at the young dancers.more
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criticalcritical → critically:in a manner that thoughtfully judges what is good and bad about something
She holds up her drawing, eyeing it critically.p.49.8
Show context notes The word critical can mean different things depending upon the context in which it is used. This meaning is especially important in an academic environment.
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The film is receiving critical acclaim.more
"Critical acclaim" is a common expression meaning praise from people whose job is to share expert judgement.
Show general definition for critical (as in: critical acclaim) relating to careful analysis or thoughtful judgement of what is good and bad about something -- possibly from people whose job is to share their expert opinions in a given industry
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dauntdaunt → undaunted:not discouraged or afraid
I am a wild beast, my friend: untamed and undaunted.p.37.51 more
Show context notes The prefix "un-" in undaunted means not and reverses the meaning of daunted. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
It is a challenge that would daunt a lesser diplomat.more
discourage or intimidate
Show general definition to discourage or intimidate
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scornscorn → scornful:showing disrespect
"Do you think Mack is mad because I hurt him today?"
I consider lying, but gorillas are terrible liars. "Probably," I finally say.
"He ran away after that," Ruby says.
Bob gives a scornful laugh. "Crawled away is more like it."p.162.6
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Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more
scorn → scorned:rejected
Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
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irrationalirrational → irrationally:in a manner that is not based on reason
Humans, I'd noticed, seem to be irrationally fond of dogs, and I could see why a puppy would be easier to cuddle with than, say, a gorilla.p.37.1
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I have an irrational fear of spiders.more
unreasonable
Show general definition not reasonable
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dwelllet attention stay (on a topic)
For a while, when I was young and foolish, I thought I was the last gorilla on earth. I tried not to dwell on it.p.25.4
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Don't dwell on the past.more
think or talk about something longer than seems appropriate
Show general definition for dwell (as in: Don't dwell on it.) to think, communicate, or let attention stay on (or return to) something for a prolonged period
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competentcompetent → incompetent:bad (not sufficiently capable)
"Humans reek," Bob replies. "They just don't notice because they have incompetent noses."p.185.7
Show context notes Reek is a synonym for stink.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
She is a competent student and I have no doubt she will be a competent lawyer one day.more
sufficiently capable
Show general definition capable (able to do something in a generally satisfactory manner) -- sometimes specifically to have legal capability
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indifferentshowing no interest
I grunt again, a dignified, indifferent grunt.p.76.4
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
About a third are in favor of the change, a third are opposed, and a third are indifferent.more
without interest
Show general definition without interest
in various senses, including:
  • unconcerned -- as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat."
  • unsympathetic -- as in "She is indifferent to his needs."
  • not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) -- as in "an indifferent performance"
  • impartial -- as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
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cunningclever
He was smart and cunning, but his gaze was wistful.p.47.5
Show context notes Ivan is describing Julia's picture of Bob--the dog that lives with Ivan.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
She came up with a cunning scheme to cheat him.more
clever and deceitful
Show general definition for cunning (as in: a cunning thief) being good at achieving goals through cleverness -- and typically through deception as well (tricking others)
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migratemoved from one place to another
Our circus doesn't migrate.p.13.1
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The birds migrate in the Winter.more
move from one place to another
Show general definition move from one place to another -- sometimes seasonally
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fleetinglasting a short time
[of a zoo] It's not a perfect place. Even in just a few fleeting seconds on my TV screen, I can see that. A perfect place would not need walls. But it's the place I need.p.186.7
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Her moments of happiness were few and fleeting.more
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adornadorn → unadorned:not decorated
Bob's tail makes me dizzy and confused. It has meanings within meanings, like human words. "I am sad," it says. "I am happy." It says, "Beware! I may be tiny, but my teeth are sharp."
Gorillas don't have any use for tails. Our feelings are uncomplicated. Our rumps are unadorned.p.35.6
Show context notes The prefix "un-" in unadorned means not and reverses the meaning of adorned. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The women adorned themselves with shell necklaces.more
adorn → adorned:decorated
Show general definition to decorate -- especially a person
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abruptabrupt → abruptly:suddenly
I sit up abruptly, and Bob topples off my stomach.p.111.3
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The bus came to an abrupt stop.more
sudden and unexpected
Show general definition for abrupt (as in: an abrupt change) sudden and unexpected

or (less commonly): characterized by sudden changes or at a steep angle
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savorsavor → savoring:taking great pleasure from
I take my time going uphill, savoring the feel of grass on my knuckles.p.289.6
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Savor the soup.more
take pleasure from
Show general definition to take great pleasure from; or the quality enjoyed
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tacttact → tactful:having the quality of saying things in a way that makes others feel good
"I think I may be a little tired of my domain."
"That's because it's a cage," Bob tells me. Bob is not always tactful.p.52.1
Show context notes In this book, the word domain always refers to the "territory or place where someone lives." It can have other related meanings in other contexts.
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She has the tact of a politician or diplomat.more
the ability and tendency to say or handle things in such a way that others feel good about them
Show general definition the ability or act of saying or handling things in such a way that others feel good about them
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swaggerbehave in a highly confident manner
I grumble and swat and swagger. I beat my chest till the whole world hears.p.280.4
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The team swaggered onto the court--full of confidence.more
swagger → swaggered:walked and behaved in a highly confident manner
Show general definition walk or behave in a highly confident or proud manner -- often arrogant and sometimes to impress or intimidate others
Show editor's word notes Swagger is often used to imply that someone moves or behaves as though they are so strong and capable as to be above physical fear. Such people are often portrayed on television as gang members or cowboys.
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determinedfirm in purpose
They are hushed, busy, determined.p.256.3
Show context notes These are the people moving Ruby and Ivan to the zoo.
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I'm determined to become a lawyer.more
firmly planning