Flipped — Vocabulary
Wendelin Van Draanen
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	12	top 500
perpetualcontinuing forever A perpetual flame burns beside the grave of John F. Kennedy.more Show sample from book But in a desperate attempt to block Bryce Loski from my mind, I asked, "What's a perpetual-motion machine?"†p.161.711 more continuing forever without change; OR occurring so frequently it seems constant Show general definition continuing forever without change; or occurring so frequently it seems constant
	5	top 1000
commotiondisturbance I looked up to see what caused the commotion.more Show sample from book Mrs. McClure was gushing into the microphone about the record-breaking bid when a big commotion broke out over by Miranda.†p.203.24 more noisy disturbance Show general definition a disturbance -- typically noisy
	2	top 500
scrutinyscrutiny → scrutinized:looked very carefully at She scrutinized her reflection in the mirror.more Show context notes The suffix "-ize" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize. Show sample from book Mr. Mertins has got some kind of doctorate in seating arrangements or something, because he analyzed and scrutinized and practically baptized the seats we had to sit in.†p.8.81 more scrutiny → scrutinized:looked at very carefully Show context notes The suffix "-ize" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize. Show general definition careful examination of something
	2	top 500
scarcityshortage There is a scarcity of work in the region.more Show sample from book Juli'd actually been making herself pretty scarce because it was around the time they'd taken the sycamore tree down, but suddenly one morning she was back on our doorstep, delivering eggs.†p.60.51 more scarcity → scarce:in short supply OR barely or hardly (by a small margin) Show general definition shortage (having an amount that is less than desired)
	2	top 500
pungentstrong It's the pungent odor of oregano.more Show sample from book My dad led me around a corner, and as we proceeded down a hallway, the underlying pungent part of the smell got stronger.†p.133.31 more strong smelling or tasting… Show general definition strong smelling or tasting or much more rarely: anything sharp, painful, or penetrating -- physically or emotionally Show editor's word notes In reference to taste or smell, pungent is more often associated with a strong flavor than a particular flavor. Some associate it with a high level of volatile acidity. Some wine connoisseurs interchange the word pungent with earthy.
	3	top 1000
mortifiedexceedingly embarrassed She was mortified when her father questioned the boy who came to pick her up.more Show sample from book Yes, my friend, the possibilities for mortification were infinite.†p.174.82 more mortified → mortification:extremely embarrassed and ashamed—so humiliated that pride feels wounded. Show general definition for mortified (as in: felt mortified) extremely embarrassed and ashamed—so humiliated that pride feels wounded.
	2	top 1000
distortalter in an unnatural or untrue way These sunglasses distort my vision.more Show sample from book But I looked over at my mom, worried that she might be embarrassed by the distorting guitars and the gritty lyrics.†p.165.41 more distort → distorting:to alter something in an unnatural or untrue way Show general definition to alter something in an unnatural or untrue way
	3	top 2000
preoccupiedbusy (doing or thinking about other things) She got no help from her husband who was preoccupied with the children.more Show sample from book After class Darla tried to act all cool and preoccupied, but she had her radar up and pointed our way.†p.126.32 more took up the attention of Show general definition busy thinking about or doing something so that other things are not noticed or done
	1	top 10
implyimply → implied:hinted or suggested She wouldn't make a direct statement, but she implied that she supported our position.more Show sample from book Lynetta just shrugged, implying that my mom could draw her own conclusion.†p.45.4 imply → implying:suggesting (saying indirectly) Show general definition to suggest or say indirectly -- possibly as a logical consequence
	1	top 10
relevantimportant (related in a meaningful way) Shannon tells an interesting story, but it's not relevant to the decision we have to make.more Show sample from book Mom let out a deep breath and said, "I think you're mature enough to keep this inside these four walls, and I'm only telling you because ...because I think it's relevant."†p.208.2 relating in a meaningful way to the issue in question Show general definition relating in a meaningful way to the issue in question
	2	top 1000
complykeep (follow or obey) You must comply with school rules if you want to stay on the team.more Show sample from book I will collect them from you individually when the bell rings, and I will inspect to see that you have complied with the following instructions.†p.190.61 more comply → complied:to act in agreement with a rule, request, or demand Show general definition to act in agreement with a rule, request, or demand
	1	top 100
analyzeexamine in detail to better understand Analyze the situation and tell me what you think we should do.more Show sample from book Mr. Mertins has got some kind of doctorate in seating arrangements or something, because he analyzed and scrutinized and practically baptized the seats we had to sit in.†p.8.8 analyze → analyzed:examined in detail to better understand Show general definition to examine and consider something in detail to better understand it
	1	top 100
contextcontext → out of context:in a misleading manner (because the quote left out additional words that changed the meaning of what was quoted) She said she was quoted out of context and that anyone who read her full speech would know it.more Show context notes When someone is quoted "out of context" it means that selected words were quoted that misrepresent the meaning of all their words. For example, if you said "I admire their effort, but they are dead wrong if they think this will work," and someone implied that you supported their plan by quoting you as only saying, "I admire their effort," they would be quoting you out of context. Show sample from book Chet replied, "Maybe in the context of what scientists know now, but do you rule it out completely?"†p.161.6 the setting or situation in which something occurs Show general definition the setting or situation in which something occurs
	1	top 100
conformconform → conformist:someone who thinks and acts like others in a group Most teenagers are surprisingly conformist within their subgroup.more Show sample from book Confine, confute, conform—I've had totally enough of that scene.†p.152.6 to comply, fit in, or be similar to what is normal Show general definition to comply, fit in, or be similar to what is normal
	4
cullselect for elimination They cull the deer twice a year to assure their numbers can be sustained.more Show sample from book Between mushy chick disease, exploding eggs, and culling, this project was turning out to be the worst!†p.69.63 more cull → culling:selecting from among many Show general definition to select from among many -- sometimes what is desired; sometimes to eliminate that which is not wanted
	3
embryoembryo → embryos:a human in the first eight weeks of development (prior to the fetal stage and then birth) The doctor implanted multiple embryos to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.more Show sample from book For my project I drew diagrams of the various stages of an embryo's development, I made a giant chicken poster, I graphed the daily fluctuations in temperature and humidity, and I made a line chart documenting the weight loss of each egg.†p.70.52 more an organism in the early stages of growth prior to birth, hatching, or sprouting… Show general definition an organism in the early stages of growth prior to birth, hatching, or sprouting; in humans the first eight weeks of development (prior to the fetal stage)
	2	top 2000
ornerycranky (easily annoyed and quick to complain and argue) I avoid contact when he's in an ornery mood.more Show sample from book Ornery kites dive-bomb out of spite.†p.35.51 more easily annoyed and quick to complain and argue Show general definition for ornery (as in: is ornery when she first wakes up) quick to get annoyed, complain, argue, and be uncooperative
	2	top 2000
transcendtranscend → transcends:exceeds or surpasses The book transcends our expectations from a romance novel.more Show sample from book She talked about what it felt like to be up in that tree, and how it, like, transcended dimensional space.†p.98.21 more transcend → transcended:exceeded or surpassed Show general definition exceed (go beyond); or surpass (to be more or better)
	2	top 2000
boycottrefusal to buy Chavez led a nationwide boycott of table grapes.more Show sample from book By the time I got home, I knew it would be selfish of me to boycott the Loskis' dinner party.p.159.11 more refuse to participate in Show general definition to refuse to buy things (from someone); or to refuse to participate in an activity (with someone) in order to express disapproval
	2
grovelshow complete submission She wasn't content just to win. She wanted to see me grovel.more Show sample from book God, it's making me sick to watch you grovel.†p.182.21 more show submission or fear Show general definition to show submission or fear -- sometimes by crawling or lying face down