Goodbye Stranger — Vocabulary
Rebecca Stead
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
6 top 1000
vulnerablevulnerable → vulnerable to:easily hurt by
The computers are vulnerable to cyberattacks.more
Show sample from book
It's about being vulnerable.†p.263.95 more
easily hurt or in need of help; OR  easily influenced or subject to temptation
Show general definition easily hurt or in need of help; or easily influenced or subject to temptation
2 top 100
irrelevantnot relevant
The sentence should be deleted because it introduces information that is irrelevant to the passage.more
Show sample from book
He pointed his pencil at her and said, "I told you, it's irrelevant."†p.132.31 more
not relevant (not related to the subject being considered, or not important enough to want to consider)
Show general definition not relevant (not related to the subject being considered, or not important enough to want to consider)
2 top 100
genuinegenuine → genuinely:sincerely
I am genuinely sorry for what I did.more
Show sample from book
The waitress at the diner seemed genuinely happy to see Bridge.†p.71.11 more
genuine → genuinely:really
Show general definition real (as when a person is sincere or an object is not a replica or fake)
4 top 1000
humiliatehumiliate → humiliated:extremely embarrassed (feeling decreased dignity)
She felt humiliated by his public insults.more
Show sample from book
Letting her humiliate me in front of someone I love deeply and pretty much want to spend my life with?†p.282.73 more
extremely embarrass (decrease dignity, self-respect, or pride)
Show general definition extremely embarrass (decrease dignity, self-respect, or pride -- especially in front of others)
2 top 500
condescendingacting superior
She gave me that condescending look as though I wasn't worthy to ask her a question.more
Show sample from book
Alex smiled his condescending smile.†p.109.81 more
treating others as inferior; or doing something considered beneath one's position or dignity
Show general definition treating others as inferior; or doing something considered beneath one's position or dignity
2 top 1000
nucleusthe center (in this case, key central members)
They have the nucleus of a good team.†more
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"Nuclear bomb, nice thought," you said.†p.80.41 more
nucleus → nuclear:relating to the central or most important part of something
Show general definition the center (or most important part) of something
such as:
  • in physics: the center of an atom where protons & neutrons are found
  • in biology: the center of a cell where DNA is found
  • in sociology: the closest family (mother/father/children in contrast to the extended family)
2 top 1000
principalmost important
The principal idea is that decisions should be made by the people who are most knowledgeable about specific circumstances that impact the decision.more
Show sample from book
The three audition judges were stationed just below the stage: the vice principal, Mr. Ramos; the head of the language department, Madame Lawrence; and Mr. Partridge, who stood at the light board, which he'd rolled out on its metal cart.†p.142.41 more
most important; or person that is most important
Show general definition most important; or person who is most important
The exact meaning of principal can depend upon its context. For example:
  • "the principal idea" or "the principal performer" -- the most important
  • "the principal of the school" -- the person in charge
  • "a principal of a company" -- an owner or person with controlling authority
  • "the principal in a transaction" (as contrasted to the agent) -- the person on whose behalf an agent acts
2 top 1000
tranquilcalm
I love a lake with tranquil blue water.†more
Show sample from book
That's the Sea of Tranquility.†p.276.51 more
tranquil → tranquility:peace and quiet; or calmness
Show general definition calm and undisturbed
1 top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more
Show sample from book
When the Talentine show audition notices were passed out, Em had been scornful.†p.141.7
scorn → scornful:full of strong disrespect or rejection
Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
1 top 200
dubiousquestionable or unreliable
The theory is based on dubious evidence that hasn’t been verified.more
Show sample from book
She looks at you, dubious.†p.105.1
doubtful; or suspicious; or full of uncertainty -- sometimes to indicate that something described as good is actually bad
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."
1 top 1000
clarityclearness (the quality of being clearly expressed)
The speaker presented her argument with such clarity that even those unfamiliar with the topic could easily understand her main points.more
Show sample from book
Bridge couldn't see it, but she sensed it from the kitchen with perfect clarity.†p.109.9
seen, expressed, or understood clearly…
Show general definition seen, expressed, or understood clearly; or a degree of transparency such as the quality of clear water
1 top 1000
solemnvery serious
He took a solemn oath.more
Show sample from book
Tab had opened a bag of chips and was eating them one at a time, looking weirdly solemn, as if she felt sorry for them.†p.234.9
very serious--possibly dignified
Show general definition in a very serious (and often dignified) manner
1 top 1000
continuousconstant (uninterrupted)
The national power grid is under almost continuous attack.more
Show sample from book
Tab's longest continuous juggle lasted about thirty seconds.†p.143.6
continuing in time or space without interruption or irregularity
Show general definition continuing in time or space without interruption or irregularity
1 top 1000
dismalterrible
The coach will probably be replaced after such a dismal year.more
Show sample from book
Their English teacher, who had been reading aloud from a textbook, interrupted himself to say that he had the attention of 70 percent of the class, and that 70 percent was a "dismal figure."†p.46.7
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)
4
apocalypseworld-ending disaster
She packed emergency supplies, joking that she wanted to be ready in case of an apocalypse.more
Show sample from book
Gina invented the apocalypse game.†p.80.13 more
an event involving terrible destruction
Show general definition an event involving terrible destruction that ends the world as we know it; or (especially when capitalized) the end of the world as prophesized in the Christian book of Revelation
3 top 2000
obnoxiousvery rude or unpleasant
An obnoxious woman was making a scene.more
Show sample from book
"Adrienne," he repeated, doing that obnoxious thing with his hands that meant a girl had a good body.†p.216.82 more
rude or unpleasant
2
dementedinsane (crazy)
Some demented killer has declared open season on people in nice cars.more
Show sample from book
Are you demented?†p.29.91 more
acting crazy; OR suffering from cognitive dementia
Show general definition for demented (as in: demented lyrics) acting crazy

or:

suffering from cognitive dementia (mental deterioration)
1 top 200
lucrativeprofitable
It is Google's most lucrative business.more
Show sample from book
"Boring but lucrative," their mom said.†p.48.8
1 top 500
aestheticaesthetic → aesthetically:related to beauty or good taste
It was not aesthetically pleasing.more
Show context notes Aesthetically is the British spelling. Americans spell it esthetically.
Show sample from book
Her interest in Volkswagen Bugs was less aesthetic.†p.1.8
beautiful, tasteful, or related to beauty or taste
Show context notes This is the British spelling. Americans spell it esthetic.
Show general definition related to beauty or good taste -- often referring to one's appreciation of beauty or one's sense of what is beautiful

or:

beautiful or tasteful
1 top 2000
forfeitlose
We had to forfeit the deposit.more
Show sample from book
So far he'd forfeited a brand-new Call of Duty game, a vintage Rolling Stones T-shirt he'd bought at the flea market, and a baseball signed by Mariano Rivera.p.25.8
forfeit → forfeited:lost
Show general definition to lose or surrender something -- often as a penalty