The Wide Window — Vocabulary
Lemony Snicket
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
6 top 500
irrationalunreasonable
I have an irrational fear of spiders.more
Show sample from book
There are two kinds of fears: rational and irrational—or, in simpler terms, fears that make sense and fears that don't.†p.30.35 more
Show general definition not reasonable
5 top 500
adoptadopt → adopted:took on as its own
The country adopted the metric system.more
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My associate will take you to my apartment while I stay here and finish the adoption paperwork with Mr. Poe.†p.165.94 more
adopt → adoption:the act of taking something on as one's own
Show general definition to take on as one's own
The exact meaning of adopt depends upon its context. For example:
  • "adopt a child" -- to legally take on parental responsibilities for another person's child
  • "adopt a plan" -- to accept or begin to use something
  • "adopt a pet" -- to take in a pet -- especially one from an animal shelter
  • "Congress adopted the resolution." -- had a formal vote and passed
  • "adopted a confident attitude" -- took on or displayed
4 top 100
perspectivea sensible view of a situation
She loses perspective and continually wants to change the plan in a manner that depends on the most recent complaint.more
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There is a way of looking at life called "keeping things in perspective."†p.32.13 more
Show general definition for perspective (as in: Keep it in perspective) a sensible view of a situation that considers its different parts in a balanced way
5 top 1000
rationalrational → rationally:in a reasonable manner
It's hard to think rationally when I'm this upset.more
Show sample from book
There are two kinds of fears: rational and irrational—or, in simpler terms, fears that make sense and fears that don't.†p.30.34 more
reasonable
Show general definition for rational (as in: rational behavior) reasonable, able to think clearly, or based on logic rather than emotion
4 top 1000
dismaydismay → dismayed:sad, disappointed, or worried
Don't be dismayed. I have a solution.more
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The Baudelaires looked at one another and tried to hide their dismay.†p.23.43 more
sadness, disappointment, or worry
Show general definition to feel sadness, disappointment, or worry -- typically in response to something surprising
3 top 500
principlebelief
I accept as a basic principle that all people are precious and should be treated with equal dignity.more
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Because as soon as Violet saw the flickering reflection, she remembered the scientific principles of the convergence and refraction of light.†p.150.62 more
principle → principles:basic rules or beliefs
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
4 top 2000
despisedespise → despises:dislikes strongly and looks down upon
She despises the people he works for.more
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Sunny smiled at Aunt Josephine, showing all four of her sharp teeth, but her older siblings knew that Sunny despised rattles and the irritating sounds they made when you shook them.†p.19.23 more
despise → despised:disliked strongly and looked down upon
Show general definition to dislike strongly and to look down upon with disrespect
2 top 1000
solemnvery serious
He took a solemn oath.more
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The Baudelaire orphans nodded solemnly, but the cold pit in their stomachs had not gone away.†p.56.21 more
solemn → solemnly:with seriousness and dignity
Show general definition in a very serious (and often dignified) manner
3 top 2000
utmostgreatest
It is of the utmost importance.more
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Klaus stared at the ceiling with the utmost concentration, as if something very interesting were written on it, but nothing helpful occurred to him as the hour grew later and later.†p.56.62 more
1 top 10
demonstratedemonstrate → demonstrated:showed
The salesperson demonstrated features of both phones so I could compare them.more
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If you don't care about something, one way to demonstrate your feelings is to say the word and then repeat the word with the letters S-C-H-M replacing the real first letters.†p.157.6
show
Show general definition for demonstrate (as in: It demonstrates my point.) to show
The exact meaning of this sense of demonstrate can depend upon its context. For example:
  • "I will demonstrate how to throw a Frisbee." -- show how to do something
  • "I will demonstrate how much quicker the new computer is than the old one." -- show how something works
  • "Her questioned demonstrated that she was listening and thinking deeply about what was said." -- showed to be true or proved
2 top 1000
futilepointless because it cannot produce anything useful
Resistance is futile.more
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Violet tried one more time, knowing it would probably be futile, a word which here means "filled with futility."†p.44.31 more
futile → futility:pointlessness (uselessness)
Show general definition effort that is pointless because it is unproductive or unsuccessful
2 top 1000
wistfulwistful → wistfully:showing longing or unfulfilled desire
Sitting in her wheelchair, the old woman looked wistfully at the young dancers.more
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She looked wistfully at all the delicious food on the shelves that required turning on the stove in order to prepare it.†p.38.61 more
wistful → wistfully:with longing or unfulfilled desire
1 top 100
contradictdisagree with
Does the sentence contradict the main claim of the essay?more
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Still, it seemed rude to contradict Aunt Josephine.†p.16.7
disagree
Show general definition disagree
in various senses, including:
  • to say something is not true -- as in "She contradicted his testimony."
  • to say something else is true when both can't be true -- as in "I don't believe her. She contradicted herself as she told us what happened."
  • to be in conflict with -- as in "Her assertions contradict accepted scientific principles."
1 top 100
neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas)
The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more
Show sample from book
The card does have a serious grammatical error on it, but it is nevertheless proof that Captain Sham is who he says he is.†p.49.9
Show general definition despite that
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 was just stated, we still have idea 2.  Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but.
8
ficklequick to change
I can't imagine depending upon the fickle wind to sail around the world.more
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At this particular moment she was thinking of how she could improve the engine of the Fickle Ferry so it wouldn't belch smoke into the gray sky.†p.3.67 more
quick to change…
Show general definition quick to change

(such as a person quick to change their mind, or the weather in a region where it changes suddenly)
6
forgerya fake (a copy meant to look like the original)
The painting is a forgery.more
Show sample from book
"Well, we could do a forgery," Klaus said, using a word which here means "write something yourself and pretend somebody else wrote it."†p.66.25 more
something that is represented as real even though it is a fake…
Show general definition something that is represented as real even though it is a fake; or the making of such a fake item
4
testamentevidence
Her big jump in grades was a testament to the hours she spent studying each night.more
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As my last will and testament, I leave you three in the care of Captain Sham, a kind and honorable men.†p.59.23 more
testament → last will and testament:a final will (written instructions expressing how somebody wants their property distributed after they die)
Show general definition evidence or proof of something, or a formal written statement — such as a will or one of the two main parts of the Christian Bible
Show editor's word notes Most commonly, you can substitute "evidence" or "proof" for testament. But see the first exemplary sample sentences for other common word substitutions.
2 top 2000
abhorabhor → abhors:hates
She abhors violence.more
Show sample from book
Burning ants, of course, is an abhorrent hobby—the word "abhorrent" here means "what Count Olaf used to do when he was about your age"—but remembering the story made Violet see that she could use the lens of the spying glass to focus the light of the moon and make a fire.†p.153.1
abhor → abhorrent:disgusting (of something hated, detested, or immoral)
Show general definition to hate or detest something
Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice):

As compared to "hate", "despise", or "loathe", "abhor" is often chosen to indicate moral revulsion.
2 top 2000
garishtastelessly showy
The clown’s garish outfit, with its bright colors and bold patterns, made the children laugh.more
Show sample from book
But even so, the three children were eager to leave the Anxious Clown, and not just because the garish restaurant—the word "garish" here means "filled with balloons, neon lights, and obnoxious waiters"—was filled with balloons, neon lights, and obnoxious waiters.†p.92.7
Show general definition tastelessly showy; or excessively bright
2 top 2000
obnoxiousvery rude or unpleasant
An obnoxious woman was making a scene.more
Show sample from book
But even so, the three children were eager to leave the Anxious Clown, and not just because the garish restaurant—the word "garish" here means "filled with balloons, neon lights, and obnoxious waiters"—was filled with balloons, neon lights, and obnoxious waiters.†p.92.8
rude or unpleasant