The BFG — Vocabulary
Roald Dahl
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Exemplary sample	Uses	Broad Use
	4	top 2000
quiverquiver → quivered:shook or trembled slightly The puppy's lower lip quivered when it heard the thunder.more Show sample from book She was quivering with excitement.†p.149.73 more quiver → quivering:to shake or tremble slightly Show general definition to shake or tremble slightly
	3	top 2000
wretchedmiserable The children were taken into protective custody due to their wretched living conditions.more Show sample from book 'That means,' said Sophie, 'that somewhere in the world, every single night, nine wretched people get carried away and eaten alive.'†p.36.52 more miserable or very bad Show general definition very bad in various senses, including: unfortunate or miserable -- as in "wretched prisoners sleeping on the cold floor" of poor quality -- as in "wretched roads" morally bad -- as in "The wretched woman stole his wallet."
	1	top 100
adaptadapt → adapted:changed (to fit this situation) Ideas contained in passages for this test, some of which are excerpted or adapted from published material, do not necessarily represent the opinions of the College Board.more Show sample from book A man does not rise to become the Queen's butler unless he is gifted with extraordinary ingenuity, adaptability, versatility, dexterity, cunning, sophistication, sagacity, discretion and a host of other talents that neither you nor I possess.†p.162.4 adapt → adaptability:the degree to which something can change to fit a different situation Show general definition for adapt (as in: adapted to the new rules) changed to fit a different situation; or made suitable
	1	top 100
genuinegenuine → genuinely:sincerely I am genuinely sorry for what I did.more Show sample from book She looked genuinely frightened.†p.152.4 genuine → genuinely:really Show general definition real (as when a person is sincere or an object is not a replica or fake)
	2	top 2000
anguishpain I felt unbearable anguish when my 4-year-old child died from brain cancer.more Show sample from book His voice was filled with fury and anguish.†p.82.91 more extreme pain, suffering, or distress Show general definition extreme pain, suffering, or distress (of body or mind)
	2	top 2000
grotesquedistorted or ugly She was wearing a grotesque mask that was quite disturbing.more Show sample from book Nine fearsome, ugly, half-naked, fifty-feet-long brutes lay sprawled over the ground in various grotesque attitudes of sleep, and the sound of their snoring was indeed like gunfire in a battle.†p.188.11 more distorted and unnatural in shape or size Show general definition distorted and unnatural in shape or size -- especially in a disturbing way or: ugly, gross, or very wrong
	2	top 2000
positivecertain I'm positive I've seen her before.more Show sample from book 'Take a bite and I am positive you will be shouting out oh how scrumdiddlyumptious this wonderveg is!'p.59.71 more Show general definition for positive (as in: I'm absolutely positive!) certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
	1	top 200
disdainlack of respect She tries to be polite, but she cannot hide her disdain for authority.more Show sample from book He directed four footmen to clear up the mess, then, with a disdainful little wave of the hand, he indicated to the giant that he should seat himself on top of the chest-of-drawers on top of the grand piano.†p.166.5 disdain → disdainful:full of disrespect Show general definition to disrespect or reject as unworthy
	1	top 200
inevitablecertain to happen It is as inevitable as death and taxes.more Show sample from book Sophie could feel the bubbles travelling lower and lower down her tummy, and then suddenly, inevitably ...the explosion came.†p.69.1 inevitable → inevitably:with certainty that it will happen Show general definition certain to happen (even if one tried to prevent it)
	1	top 200
tactthe ability and tendency to say or handle things in such a way that others feel good about them She has the tact of a politician or diplomat.more Show sample from book The Queen, with her usual admirable tact and good sense, came to the rescue.†p.179.8 the ability or act of saying or handling 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
	1	top 200
enableenable → enables:makes possible The test enables earlier identification of autism.more Show sample from book 'There you is!' cried the BFG, whose wonderful ears enabled him to hear what the Sultan was saying to the Queen on the telephone.†p.175.3 enable → enabled:made possible Show general definition to make possible in various senses, including: to give someone the ability, knowledge, or authority to do something -- as in "The study will enable an informed discussion." to activate a computer system for use -- as in "You can enable the feature in the Settings Page." to permit someone to repeat bad behavior, so they reinforce the bad pattern -- as in "I don't want to enable her drug addiction."
	1	top 500
exasperatedgreatly annoyed She was exasperated by his teasing.more Show sample from book 'It is a trogglehumper!' cried the exasperated BFG.†p.84.8 Show general definition greatly annoyed
	1	top 1000
cunningclever and deceitful She came up with a cunning scheme to cheat him.more Show sample from book A man does not rise to become the Queen's butler unless he is gifted with extraordinary ingenuity, adaptability, versatility, dexterity, cunning, sophistication, sagacity, discretion and a host of other talents that neither you nor I possess.†p.162.4 good at achieving goals through cleverness and deception 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)
	1	top 1000
solemnvery serious He took a solemn oath.more Show sample from book 'Yes,' he said, nodding his great head solemnly up and down.†p.100.7 solemn → solemnly:with seriousness and dignity Show general definition in a very serious (and often dignified) manner
	2
aghastshocked with feelings of surprise or dismay She stepped back aghast at the behavior.more Show sample from book The footmen all stared at him, aghast.†p.164.71 more shocked with feelings of surprise and dismay Show general definition shocked with feelings of surprise and dismay (sadness, disappointment, or worry)
	2
repulsivedisgusting or revolting The smell from the garbage truck was absolutely repulsive.more Show sample from book He was thinking that if only he could get the Bloodbottler to take one bite of the repulsive vegetable, the sheer foulness of its flavour would send him bellowing out of the cave.†p.59.31 more very unpleasant or causing disgust Show general definition for repulsive (as in: she found him repulsive) very unpleasant or causing disgust
	1
beseechbeseech → beseeches:begs She beseeches her students to think about their future.more Show sample from book Sophie looked beseechingly towards the Queen for help.†p.153.1 beseech → beseechingly:in a manner that asks strongly or begs Show general definition to ask strongly or beg for something Show editor's word notes Beseech is common in classic literature. Though its usage has doubled in recent decades, it remains a rare word in modern writing. Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice): Beseech is similar to beg or entreat. Beg implies the request for a personal favor, while entreat implies an attempt to overcome resistance.
	1
diabolicalevil and clever As part of her diabolical plan, she spent the first year gaining their trust.more Show sample from book They looked repulsive, filthy, diabolical.†p.89.3 evil; very bad; OR cruel and clever (like something of the devil) Show general definition evil; very bad; or cruel and clever (like something of the devil)
	1
ravenousextremely hungry After a long day of hiking, she was ravenous and couldn’t wait to eat dinner.more Show sample from book During the next twenty minutes, a whole relay of footmen were kept busy hurrying to and from the kitchen carrying third helpings and fourth helpings and fifth helpings of fried eggs and sausages for the ravenous and delighted BFG.†p.172.1
	1
breechrear of a gun The soldier carefully loaded the bullet into the breech of his rifle.more Show sample from book The footmen all wore knee-breeches and every one of them displayed beautifully rounded calves and ankles.†p.163.2 breech → breeches:pants Show general definition rear Most commonly used today in the phrase breech birth in reference to a baby who comes out of the birth canal butt-first rather than head-first. More-archaic senses seen in classic literature include: breechcloth -- a form of loincloth consisting in a strip of material passed between the thighs and held up in front and behind by a belt or string breeches -- pants a cannon's breech -- the rear of a gun