To All the Boys I've Loved Before — Vocabulary
Jenny Han
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	10	top 2000
recitalsolo performance As part of her degree requirements, the music major performed a challenging piano recital, showcasing her technical skills and musical interpretation.more Show sample from book I'd hoped she'd forgotten all about her grand idea to have recital party, but Margot's memory has always been killer.†p.326.19 more performance Show general definition a performance such as music, dance, or a poetry reading Show editor's word notes A music recital is usually done solo or with a single accompanist. A dance recital may include many dancers.
	1	top 200
subtleunderstated (so as not to draw attention to itself) Her warning was subtle, but unmistakable.more Show sample from book I try to subtly hide the cover with my hand.p.46.91 more subtle → subtly:in a manner that does not draw attention Show general definition for subtle (as in: a subtle shade of blue) understated so as not to draw excess attention
	1	top 200
subtle#2making use of slight distinctions She used subtle reasoning to expose the absurdity of his argument.more Show sample from book Kavinsky? Are you kidding me? He's so obvious. I thought you'd be into someone more ... I don't know, subtle. Peter Kavinsky's such a cliché. He's like a cardboard cutout of a 'cool guy' in a movie about high school.p.54.21 more with fine distinctions that are not obvious Show general definition for subtle (as in: a subtle difference or thinker) not obvious, but noticeable with enough insight and knowledge or: able to notice or understand things that require insight and sensitivity
	2	top 200
precisemeticulous (careful about details) She has the kind of precise personality that never has a cluttered desk or an out-of-fashion item in her closet.more Show sample from book His handwriting is neat, precise.p.290.91 more Show general definition for precise (as in: a precise personality) meticulous (careful about details) -- especially to do things properly
	2	top 200
skepticaldoubtful I am skeptical about her plan.more Show sample from book "Are people really gonna buy it if we never touch each other in public?" Peter asks, looking skeptical.p.116.91 more doubtful (that it would work) Show general definition doubtful (that something is true or worthwhile) or more rarely: generally tending to doubt what others believe
	2	top 200
dubiousquestionable or unreliable The theory is based on dubious evidence that hasn’t been verified.more Show sample from book "You didn't bring any alcohol, did you? They're checking bags." "Don't worry about me. I'm covered." When I give her a dubious look, she whispers back, "Shampoo bottle filled with tequila at the bottom of my bag."p.303.61 more doubtful 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."
	4	top 2000
pactagreement The two countries signed a non-aggression pact.more Show sample from book With sisters a pact is everything.†p.160.13 more an agreement between parties Show general definition an agreement between parties
	2	top 500
enigmasomething mysterious that seems unexplainable As Churchill said about Russia, it is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.more Show sample from book I give an enigmatic shrug.†p.125.81 more enigma → enigmatic:mysterious and seeming unexplainable
	3	top 2000
delegateperson representing others Each state sent a delegate to represent its interests at the national convention.more Show sample from book There are desks set up for each delegate, and onstage there is a podium where a girl in a black suit is making a speech about nuclear nonproliferation.p.289.42 more Show general definition for delegate (as in: is a delegate) a person appointed or elected to represent others
	3	top 1000
wistfulwistful → wistfully:showing longing or unfulfilled desire Sitting in her wheelchair, the old woman looked wistfully at the young dancers.more Show sample from book A wistful look crosses over her face, and I'm about to give her a hug when she puts her hands on her hips.†p.198.72 more
	2	top 1000
incredulousdifficult to believe I find it incredulous that you believe she is sincere.more Show sample from book Peter shoots me an incredulous look.†p.174.91 more unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected Show general definition unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
	2	top 1000
naivenaive → naïve:lacking the understanding or sophistication that comes from experience She criticized America's naïve foreign policy.more Show sample from book Quit being so naive, Lara Jean.p.159.61 more unsophisticated (lacking the kind of understanding that comes with experience) Show general definition lacking experience or sophistication, and the understanding that comes from them -- often too trusting or optimistic
	2	top 1000
sereneserene → serenely:calmly and peacefully While I lie awake worrying, she sleeps serenely.more Show sample from book Peter has a serene look on his face, like he is a fishing-boat captain and we are floating placidly along in the middle of the sea.†p.200.11 more calm and untroubled Show general definition calm and untroubled
	2	top 1000
ponderthink about The question the audience is left to ponder is...more Show sample from book I'm pondering this when my eyes meet Genevieve's.†p.137.21 more ponder → pondering:thinking deeply or carefully about Show general definition to think deeply or carefully about something
	6	top 2000
begrudgeresent (feel bitter about) I don't begrudge her making a profit, but this is unreasonable.more Show sample from book I bet it's worth so much money now "I guess Stormy sounds kind of like a badass," Chris says begrudgingly.†p.20.15 more begrudge → begrudgingly:in a resentful manner; or giving unwillingly Show general definition to resent (feel bitterness--usually over unfairness); or to give unwillingly
	2	top 500
momentousof very great significance This is a momentous period in our nation's history.more Show sample from book I should probably wait for Margot to come home before I make such a momentous decision.p.95.41 more important
	1	top 100
correlatecorrelate → correlation:a relationship between two things so that one can be predicted from the other My opponent is confusing correlation with causation. Just because kids who play violent video games are also more likely to behave violently, doesn't mean the video games cause the violence.more Show context notes Just because you can guess 'A' from 'B' doesn’t mean 'A' changes 'B.' Something else, like 'C,' might affect both, and that’s why 'A' can be guessed from 'B.' For example, children with larger shoe sizes are likely to know more math. It's not that shoe size helps with math, it's that older children tend to have larger feet and know more math. Show sample from book Like who your best friend is is directly correlated to how close your houses are; who you sit next to in music is all about how close your names are in the alphabet.p.37.1 correlate → correlated:related such that one factor helps to predict another Show context notes Just because you can guess 'A' from 'B' doesn’t mean 'A' changes 'B.' Something else, like 'C,' might affect both, and that’s why 'A' can be guessed from 'B.' For example, children with larger shoe sizes are likely to know more math. It's not that shoe size helps with math, it's that older children tend to have larger feet and know more math. Show general definition to find or have a connection or relationship between two things, such that a change in one helps predict a change in the other Show editor's word notes Just because you can guess 'A' from 'B' doesn’t mean 'A' changes 'B.' Something else, like 'C,' might affect both, and that’s why 'A' can be guessed from 'B.' For example, children with larger shoe sizes are likely to know more math. It's not that shoe size helps with math, it's that older children tend to have larger feet and know more math.
	2	top 2000
jovialcheerful and friendly She walked in with a jovial smile.more Show sample from book "One of the old gang," my dad says jovially, and I cringe.†p.178.91 more jovial → jovially:cheerfully and friendly
	2
heathenheathen → heathens:people who do not believe in Christianity The crusaders called them heathens and they called the crusaders infidels.more Show sample from book "Well ...Kitty might be part heathen," I admit.†p.211.41 more someone who is not civilized or not moral OR an offensive term for a person who does not believe in a preferred religion Show general definition an often offensive (sometimes humorous) word for someone seen as uncivilized or immoral, especially because she does not share the speaker’s religion or comes from a culture unfamiliar with it Show editor's word notes This word is usually judgmental or insulting, so today it is used mostly in joking contexts or when describing older attitudes.
	2
festerfester → festered:grew worse over time For over a year the memory and the desire for vengeance festered in her heart.more Show sample from book I don't think she's in any danger of her emotions festering.†p.18.61 more fester → festering:(of an injury) getting inflammation and creating pus OR (generally) getting worse -- especially through inattention Show general definition to grow worse or more intense over time, especially when ignored; or, in the case of a wound, to become inflamed and filled with pus