Augie & Me — Vocabulary
R. J. Palacio
(Auto-generated)

Word Set

Samples

Sort By

Further limit words

by story of first use

to Show all

by difficulty

to (9 is most difficult)

by interest

underline any show only

Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	32
accordioncharacterized by narrower parallel folds when closed and wider when open An accordion wall can be closed to divide the room.†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 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.
	11	top 1000
remorseregret for doing something wrong There was no sign of remorse until the police caught her.more Show sample from book "Doesn't it trouble you at all that Julian doesn't seem to be showing the least bit of remorse?" said Mr. Tushman, squinting at Dad.†p.48.110 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.
	5
solar systeman area that includes a star and everything that revolves around it Our solar system includes the Sun, eight planets, their moons, and many smaller objects like asteroids.more Show sample from book You said it was the littlest planet in the solar system!†p.163.14 more the area that includes the sun (or any star) and everything that revolves around… Show general definition the area that includes the sun (or any star) and everything that revolves around it
	4	top 2000
chordchord → chords:a combination of three or more notes that blend harmoniously when sounded together In her first day learning the guitar, she has learned how to play G major, C major, and D major chords.more Show sample from book "I hate the B chord!" said John.†p.131.33 more a combination of three or more notes that blend harmoniously when sounded togeth… Show general definition for chord (as in: piano chord) a combination of three or more notes that blend harmoniously when sounded together; or figuratively to express harmonious blending or clashing
	3	top 1000
expelexpel → expulsion:the act of forcing out (in this case, kicking someone out of school) Her records show expulsion from two schools.more Show sample from book "Yeah, we saw how strict it was when you didn't expel Jack Will for punching Julian in the mouth," Mom answered quickly.†p.45.62 more force out Show general definition force out especially in 2 primary senses: kicking someone out of an organization -- such as a school or country squeezing something to eliminate a liquid or gas
	3	top 1000
mischievousplayfully causing minor trouble The mischievous puppy kept stealing socks and hiding them under the couch.more Show sample from book I had no idea you were so mischievous!†p.79.32 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.
	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
	2	top 1000
commotiondisturbance I looked up to see what caused the commotion.more Show sample from book So we ran downstairs to see what the commotion was about.†p.106.21 more noisy disturbance Show general definition a disturbance -- typically noisy
	2	top 1000
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
	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 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
	2	top 1000
liberateset free She works to liberate the religious minority from persecution.more Show sample from book We didn't find out he was dead until after the liberation.†p.82.31 more liberate → liberation:the act of being set free Show general definition to set free -- as from prison, political oppression, persecution, expectations...
	1	top 100
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."
	1	top 100
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."
	2
instantaneousimmediate Relief was instantaneous.more Show sample from book It just exploded into an instantaneous universe of knowing looks and giggles and clothes and secrets.†p.215.71 more immediate (happening with no delay) Show general definition immediate (happening instantly with no delay)
	12	top 2000
preceptrule for behavior She accepts the Golden Rule as a precept.more Show sample from book Remember Mr. Browne's November precept: "Have no friends not equal to yourself!"p.267.911 more Show general definition a rule for behavior -- especially a shared moral doctrine
	1	top 100
narratoran actor who helps to tell a story by talking directly to the audience (breaking the imaginary barrier between the performers and the audience) The narrator in the play, Our Town talks to characters in the play as well as to the audience.more Show sample from book But Tourteau was an excellent narrator, and he made me laugh a lot.†p.79.2 storyteller Show general definition someone who tells a story--especially the main voice in a documentary, or a character who talks directly to the audience in a movie, play or other performance
	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
	1	top 200
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