Shingaling — Vocabulary
R. J. Palacio
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Exemplary sample	Uses	Broad Use
	32
accordionbellows instrument The street musician played a lively tune on his accordion for the gathered crowd.more Show sample from book In the wintertime, I always asked my mom for two dollars to drop into his accordion case instead of just one.†p.182.731 more characterized by narrower parallel folds when closed and wider when open Show general definition for accordion (as in: an accordion door) characterized by narrower parallel folds when closed and wider when open -- such as a door or musical instrument with that characteristic Show editor's word notes When unqualified, accordion generally refers to a musical instrument. See the related Google Images to see pictures of the musical instrument, doors, folds, and pleats that have accordion characteristics.
	2	top 1000
incredulousdifficult to believe I find it incredulous that you believe she is sincere.more Show sample from book Ximena asked incredulously.†p.223.51 more incredulous → incredulously:with disbelief; or with difficulty accepting something so unexpected Show general definition unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
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narrativeStory He titled his autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.more Show sample from book This lack of artifice owes as much to the rousing arrangement of songs, which blend seamlessly together, as it does to Echevarri's poignant narrative.†p.241.91 more story Show general definition for narrative (as in: Narrative of the Life of...) a story; or related to a story
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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 I'm adapting a piece I choreographed years ago, which had gotten considerable attention at the time, I don't mind saying.†p.202.3 adapt → adapting:changing 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
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remorseregret for doing something wrong There was no sign of remorse until the police caught her.more Show sample from book The longest conversation we'd ever had was back in December, in Ms. Rubin's class, when she asked me—without a shred of remorse—if I would mind switching partners with her so she could be paired up with Savanna.†p.214.71 more deep regret for doing something that was wrong Show general definition a feeling of deep regret for doing something that was wrong Show editor's word notes Synonym comparison (if you're into word choice): Many consider the word remorse stronger than the word regret. Also, it is more personal. One might regret that their team lost the game, but feel remorse that they missed the bus and weren't there to help the team.
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mischievousplayfully causing minor trouble The mischievous puppy kept stealing socks and hiding them under the couch.more Show sample from book She almost couldn't help looking mischievous.†p.218.81 more playfully causing minor trouble; OR describing the smile of someone doing so Show general definition playfully causing minor trouble; or describing the smile of someone doing so Show editor's word notes Much less commonly, mischievous can reference real harm without any sense of fun. But in modern writing, that usage has largely shifted to other words like malicious, destructive, or damaging.
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contradictdisagree with Does the sentence contradict the main claim of the essay?more Show sample from book Ellie never says anything to contradict Savanna.†p.258.1 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."
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varybe different Your mileage may vary.more Show sample from book Around the room, the kids from the jazz ensemble and choir stood up with varying degrees of willingness and shyness.†p.284.1 vary → varying:differing; or changing Show general definition to be different, or to change Show editor's word notes Vary is often used to describe small differences or changes--especially about things of the same type. It would be more common to say "The weight of full-grown elephants varies depending upon diet and other factors," than to say "The weight of elephants varies from that of mice."
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rouserouse → roused:awakened A persistent knocking at the door finally roused her from her dreams.more Show sample from book This lack of artifice owes as much to the rousing arrangement of songs, which blend seamlessly together, as it does to Echevarri's poignant narrative.†p.241.91 more rouse → rousing:to awaken, make more active, or excite Show general definition to awaken, make more active, or excite
	1	top 200
innovatecreate or improve something in a new way To stay competitive, the company had to innovate by creating faster, easier-to-use software.more Show sample from book Chock-full of breathtaking leaps and innovative steps that belie Ms. Echevarri's own training in the classical style, the work takes one particular dance, the shingaling, and creates a visual narrative through which the rest of the work weaves.†p.240.4 innovate → innovative:new and different Show general definition bring something new to an environment
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indifferentwithout interest About a third are in favor of the change, a third are opposed, and a third are indifferent.more Show sample from book "We'll figure out some other time," Ximena answered indifferently.†p.217.7 indifferent → indifferently:in a manner that is without interest Show general definition without interest in various senses, including: unconcerned -- as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat." unsympathetic -- as in "She is indifferent to his needs." not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) -- as in "an indifferent performance" impartial -- as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
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ecstaticecstatic → ecstatically:with feelings of intense happiness They are ecstatically in love.more Show sample from book Ecstatic!†p.210.5 feeling intense happiness and excitement Show general definition feeling intense happiness and excitement (as when in a state of ecstasy)
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nurturehelp to develop We want older employees to help nurture the talents of new employees.more Show sample from book Later, after we'd finished our salads, Mr. Tushman made a speech about the importance of supporting the arts at Beecher Prep so the school could continue to nurture the kind of "talent" they'd watched tonight.†p.283.9 help develop or grow Show general definition help develop or grow Show editor's word notes A particular sense of nurture is often contrasted with a particular sense of nature. In the comparison, nurture refers to external influences on a person's development such as being loved, cared for, and taught. Nature in contrast refers to the inherent genetic influences on a person's development. Studies of identical twins who grew up in different homes are used to better understand the influences of each.
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obliviousunaware of She is oblivious to the dangers.more Show sample from book This time around, Ximena, Gretchen, and Ellie were talking together, completely oblivious to me.†p.213.5 Show general definition unaware of
	2
ensemblegroup performing together The jazz ensemble performed a lively set that got the audience clapping along.more Show sample from book Around the room, the kids from the jazz ensemble and choir stood up with varying degrees of willingness and shyness.†p.283.91 more a group of parts considered as a whole Show general definition a group of people or things working or appearing together in a coordinated way -- especially a group of performers or a matching outfit Show editor's word notes The pronunciation is derived from French. The first syllable sounds like "on". The second syllable sounds like "sahm".
	2
genregenre → genres:styles It was an unusual mix of art that represented both landscape and abstract genres.more Show sample from book It's the one dance that intersects every genre.†p.240.81 more style or kind Show general definition a category or style - especially in the arts
	2
meteormeteor → meteors:a streak of light in the night sky that results from a space rock burning in the earth's atmosphere Most meteors come from rocks that are about the size of a pebble.more Show sample from book There was this one illustration of a meteor streaking across the sky over the heads of the triceratops.†p.252.11 more a streak of light in the sky caused by a small space rock burning up in Earth’s atmosphere Show general definition a streak of light in the sky caused by a small space rock (a meteoroid) burning up in Earth’s atmosphere
	2
electiveelective → electives:classes chosen rather than being required The school counselor handed out a list of available electives, ranging from Computer Coding to Advanced Spanish.more Show sample from book That explains why Ellie switched electives!†p.192.71 more elective → electives:a class chosen rather than being a requirement Show general definition for elective (as in: Choir is an elective) a class chosen rather than being a requirement
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validategive evidence for the truth of something To further validate their results, researchers did a larger study the following year.more Show sample from book And I want him to have validation that this year was a triumph for him.†p.296.2 validate → validation:give evidence for the truth or value of; OR declare as legally approved Show general definition give evidence for the truth or value of; or declare as legally approved
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impartialwithout favoritism or bias An impartial judge is necessary for a fair trial.more Show sample from book "Well, she does have the best grades of anyone," I answered, trying to sound as impartial as possible.†p.266.2