A aabscond • verbto run away suddenly and secretlyThe bank robbers planned to abscond withthousands of dollars.absorb • verb1. to soak up liquid2. to take in informationI read the instructions twice in order to absorbthe information about how to absorb the paint Ispilled on the rug.absurd • adjectivewithout good sensesynonym: sillyIt was absurd to try to eat the broth with a fork!ache • nouna dull, steady painAfter the doctor gave me a shot, I had an achein my arm for a few days.adapt • verbto change in order to get along in a newsituationsynonym: adjustA chameleon can adapt to its surroundings bychanging color to blend in with rocks and trees.admonish • verbto caution or warnsynonym: reprimandMrs. Wu had to admonish her students aboutrunning in the hallway.advance • verbto move forward or make progressAfter I finished the books in Level One, Iadvanced to Level Two.affluent • adjectivehaving a lot of moneysynonym: wealthyMarta loved to visit her affluent aunt becauseshe had a swimming pool and a tennis court.agriculture • nounthe science of growing crops and raisinglivestocksynonym: farmingMy uncle studied agriculture in college andnow grows organic tomatoes that he sells torestaurants.

ambition • nouna strong desire to achieve a specific goalMark’s ambition was to learn to surf.amuse • verbto make someone laugh or smileThe playful monkeys always amuse the visitorsat the zoo.atmosphere • nounthe mood or feeling of a placeThe atmosphere during the test was quiet andserious.

B bbaffled • adjectiveconfused or puzzledsynonym: perplexedI was baffled by the complicated directions forassembling my new model car.barricadeverbto block offnouna barrier used to block passageThe fire department had to barricade thestreets for the parade. They parked theirfiretrucks across the crosswalks to make abarricade.barrier • nounsomething that prevents things from goingthroughsynonym: obstructionThe people made a barrier of sandbags tokeep the river from flooding their town.bedlam • nouna scene of noise and confusionsynonym: chaosThere was bedlam on the decks of the Titanicwhen the ship began to sink.belligerent • adjectivehostile; wanting to fi ghtThe Peacemakers at our school use conflictresolution to help stop belligerent behavior.betray • verbto not be loyal or faithful toKin Yui didn’t mean to betray Laura’s secretwhen she told Ana. She thought Ana alreadyknew about it.

bloated • adjectiveswelled upAfter eating six pieces of watermelon, mystomach was so bloated that I had to unbuttonmy pants.boost • nounsomething that lifts you up, either physically oremotionallyI couldn’t reach the doorbell, so my brothergave me a boost.brawl • nouna loud fightsynonym: altercationWhen the pitcher accidentally hit the batter with a fastball, a brawl broke out between the two teams.bygone • adjectiveanything that is past or has gone bysynonym: previousAntique stores are full of things from bygonetimes.

Cccandidate • nounsomeone who is applying for a job or running inan electionEach candidate for school president gave aspeech at the assembly.cantankerous • adjectivehard to get along withsynonym: crankyBecause Jerry is so cantankerous, I alreadyknow he won’t agree with me.capable • adjectivehaving the skill to do somethingsynonym: competentMy little brother is capable of tying his shoes,but he asks for help anyway.casual • adjective1. happening by chance; not planned2. informal; not fancyWhen Jared’s casual meeting with a friend ledto a dinner invitation, he was glad his casualclothes were neat and clean.classify • verbto put into groups according to a systemLilia will classify the insects in her collectionby color.

collide • verbto strike or bump togetherIf you don’t watch where you’re going, you cancollide with someone.command • verbto order someone to do somethingThe trainer at the wild animal park commandedthe wolf to bring him a stick.compass • nouna tool that can help you figure out in whichdirection you are facingWe knew that the camp was to the southwest,so we used our compass to help us find ourway back to it.compete • verbto try to beat others in a race or contestMy cousin is training to compete in a bicyclerace this summer.complement • nounsomething that makes something else completeCinderella’s glass slippers were the perfectcomplement to her gown.conceal • verbto hide from viewI conceal my diary in a box under my bed sothat no one will read it.criticize • verbto tell someone about what he or she has donewrongFather criticized the young child’s poor tablemanners.curtail • verbto cut short; reducesynonym: shortenJeff’s teacher suggested he curtail the time hespends playing video games if he wants to dobetter on his homework.

D ddapper • adjectiveattractive in dresssynonym: fashionableJames was such a dapper dresser that helooked like a model.dawdle • verbto waste time; be slowIf you dawdle before breakfast, you’ll miss yourride to school.

deceive • verbto make someone believe something that is nottrue; to tricksynonym: lieThe wolf tried to deceive Little Red RidingHood by dressing like her grandmother.decline • verbto turn down or refuse somethingMike had to decline the invitation to his friend’sparty because his family was going to be outof town.defiant • adjectivebold in standing up against someone orsomethingThe colonists were defiant when the king’ssoldiers ordered them to return home.dejected • adjectivelow in spiritssynonym: discouragedHiroshi felt dejected when he didn’t break therecord for the long jump.destitute • adjectivehaving no money or other means of livingThe fifth-graders raised money to help destitutepeople in their community.

determined • adjectiveshowing a firm decision to do somethingNo matter how tired he got, Harry wasdetermined to finish the race.detest • verbto hate or strongly dislikeI don’t like most vegetables, but what I reallydetest is cabbage.devour • verbto eat something very quickly or hungrilyZoo visitors like to gather at feeding time towatch the cheetahs devour their steak.dexterity • nounskill in using the handsAfter playing the piano for years, Mei-Ling haswonderful dexterity.digits • noun1. the numerals from zero through nine2. fingers and toesWe have started adding numbers with threedigits in math this week.

digress • verbto get off the subject, especially when speakingor writingThe teacher took a moment to digress to tell afunny story before getting back to the lesson.dilemma • nouna situation that requires a difficult choicesynonym: predicamentBonnie’s dilemma was whether to attendher best friend’s birthday party or play in thechampionship soccer game.diligent • adjectivehardworkingAmy is a diligent student who always turns inher homework on time.dingy • adjectivehaving a dirty or dull appearanceAfter years of hanging in the dusty windows,the white lace curtains looked dingy.discussion • nouna talk about thingssynonym: conversationOur teacher gathered us in a circle for adiscussion about our upcoming field trip.docile • adjectiveeasy to handle or trainAnita’s docile dog won the prize for “bestbehaved pet” at the show.drenched • adjectivesoaked or completely wetWe got drenched when we were caught out inthe rain without an umbrella.

E eefficient • adjectivedoing a job in a timely manner with the leastamount of effort or materialsPete was such an efficient busboy that hecould stack and carry all the plates on the tableat once.elated • adjectivefilled with joyantonym: miserableJessica felt elated when she crossed the finishline first.

encounter • nounan unexpected meetingAn encounter with a bear was the biggestsurprise of our hike.enthusiasm • nouna strong feeling of excitement or interestsynonym: eagernessStella’s enthusiasm for the ballet soon had thewhole class eager to attend the performance.establish • verbto set upThe telephone company decided to firstestablish Internet service in large cities beforesetting it up in small towns.exact • adjectivecorrect; having no mistakesWe need to know the exact measurements ofthe desk to be sure it will fit in my room.

F ffickle • adjectivealways changing in interests or loyaltyWe weren’t surprised when Lisa switchedteams at the last minute, because she is oftenfickle.flounder • nouna flatfish that lives in saltwaterverbto struggle through something, either physicallyor mentallyAfter floundering through the deep, wet sand atthe sea’s edge, imagine my surprise at findinga flounder in the cuff of my pants.foreign • adjective1. from another country2. different; strangeWe served lots of foreign foods at theinternational celebration. The hamburgerslooked foreign alongside all the other exoticfoods.frantic • adjectivevery excited with worry or fearLihn was so frantic that she’d miss the bus forthe field trip that she ran all the way to school.frigid • adjectiveextremely coldThere is no swimming in this mountain lake,as the water in it remains frigid even in the

summer.G g

gallery • nouna room or building where art is shown or soldIma was impressed by all the colorful paintingsin the gallery.germinate • verbto begin to growsynonym: sproutThe spring rains helped the wildflower seeds togerminate.glamorous • adjectiveattractive and excitingsynonym: enchantingHeads turned as the glamorous movie starwalked down the red carpet.glitter • verbto shine and sparkleThe crystal goblets are so clean that they glitterin the candlelight.gloomy • adjective1. dull and dark2. sadThe gloomy weather on the day of the schoolpicnic was mirrored by the gloomy expressionson the students’ faces.gossip • verbto talk about other people’s personal lives when they are not presentThe neighbors gossiped about why the Wongfamily moved to New York, but no one reallyknew for sure.gratitude • nouna feeling of being grateful and thankfulWhen Dad gave me a new computer game, Ishowed my gratitude by giving him a big hug.gregarious • adjectivefond of being with otherssynonym: sociableBecause Heather is so gregarious, she alwayshas friends around her.

H hhabitat • nounthe home of a particular group of plants andanimalsAlthough you might see a lion at a wild animalpark, its natural habitat is the African savanna.

harass • verbto bother repeatedlyMy brother shoots rubber bands at me whenhe wants to harass me.hazardous • adjectivedangerousantonym: safeA curvy road becomes even more hazardousduring heavy rainstorms.heirloom • nouna valued object handed down from generationto generationAlana’s gold locket was a family heirloom thathad belonged to her great-grandmother.hemisphere • nounone half of the Earth; there are fourhemispheres: northern and southern; easternand westernIf you live in North America, you live in thenorthern and western hemispheres.hermit • nouna person who lives alone to be away from otherpeoplesynonym: recluseThe hermit saw other people only when hehiked into town to buy groceries.hilarious • adjectivevery funnysynonym: hystericalThe movie was so hilarious that we almost criedfrom laughing so hard.humdrum • adjectivelacking variety or excitementsynonym: monotonousThe movie was so humdrum that I fell asleep.

I iignore • verbto pay no attention to somethingIf someone teases you, just ignore him or herand walk away.indulge • verbto allow yourself to enjoy somethingAdrianne fought the urge to indulge her cravingfor the rich chocolate dessert.ingenious • adjectiveclever or skillful, especially at inventing orsolving problems

The ingenious children made a skateboardusing old roller skates and a piece of wood.

J jjumble • nouna confused messThe jumble of books in the box made itimpossible to find what I was looking for.justify • verbto give a good reason or cause for somethingMark knew he could justify getting home fromschool late by explaining that the bus got a flattire.

K kknickknack • nouna small ornament or decorative objectsynonym: trinketThe souvenir shop at the amusement park wasfull of knickknacks.kowtow • verb1. to show respect or unquestioning obedience2. in traditional China, to bow from a kneelingposition where the forehead touches theground as a way to show respectAlthough I am not required to get on the groundand kowtow to my parents, I am expected tokowtow to their wishes by never talking back tothem.

L llackadaisical • adjectivelacking interest, enthusiasm, or energyYour piano playing won’t improve if you have alackadaisical attitude about practicing.landscapeverbto make the natural features of an outdoorarea more attractive by adding trees or plantsnounan area of land that you can view fromone placeAfter we landscape the yard, the landscapeoutside the living room window will be morepleasant.

lecturenouna prepared talk about somethingverbto scoldThe park ranger gave a lecture about wildanimals. He told about having to lecture somecampers about leaving food out for the bears.legend • nouna story that is handed down from the past that is often based on fact, but is not completely trueThe legend of Johnny Appleseed is based onthe life of a man named John Chapman.lenient • adjectivenot strict in enforcing rules and restrictionssynonym: permissiveMrs. Johnson was so lenient about deadlinesthat most students turned in their projects latewith no consequence.lofty • adjective1. very high2. grand or nobleRoberta’s lofty ambitions include designinglofty skyscrapers in New York City.luminous • adjectivegiving off lightThe full moon was so luminous that Tim did notneed a flashlight to see the path.

Mmmaneuver • verbto move carefully and skillfullyMika tried to maneuver his bike around thecones on the obstacle course.marionette • nouna puppet that is moved by pulling strings orwires attached to parts of its bodyThe puppeteer was so skilled in moving themarionette that the puppet almost seemed real.massive • adjectiveextraordinarily large, heavy, and solidIt took eight men to move the massive oak tableinto the moving van.mischief • nounplayful behavior that often annoys or irritatesothers and may cause harm

The puppies’ mischief stopped being funnywhen they chewed up Papi’s new slippers.moist • adjectiveslightly wet or dampI used a moist towel to wipe the pencil marksoff my desk.

N nnarrative • nouna story or narrationMs. Sanchez read the class a first-personnarrative written by a soldier in the Civil War.numerous • adjectivemany; great in numberThe curious student asked numerous questionsduring the science lesson.

O oobligation • nounsomething that you must dosynonym: dutyAfter my birthday, one of my obligations was towrite thank-you notes to the people who gaveme gifts.obvious • adjectivevery easy to see or understandIt was obvious from the smile on her face thatshe was happy to see her grandmother.outwit • verbto be more clever than someone elseEdmond always won at chess because hecould outwit any player he faced.

P ppanicnouna sudden feeling of great fear that comes over aperson or group of peopleverbto feel or be overcome by panicI felt panic when I thought I’d lost my purse.“Don’t panic!” said my friend. “It’s right behindyour chair.”participant • nounsomeone who joins in an activityThe winner of the race will receive a medal, butall participants will receive a T-shirt.

patriot • noun

someone who loves and supports his or hercountryDuring the American Revolution, many patriotsfought against the British for the independenceof the colonies.peer • nouna person of the same age or ability levelEven though Daisy is Roberto’s peer, she isthree inches taller than he is.penetrate • verbto go into or pass through somethingThe attackers could not penetrate the stonewalls of the castle.perennialadjectivelasting for a long time; never endingnouna plant that blooms or grows for many yearswithout needing to be replantedIf you have a perennial dislike for buying newplants every year, plant some perennials inyour garden.permanent • adjectivelasting for a very long time or foreverBaby teeth fall out, but permanent teeth do not.perplexed • adjectiveconfused; uncertainI was perplexed because the directions to themuseum did not make sense to me.plunge • verb1. to dive into water2. to fall sharplyStanding at the edge of the boat, my heartplunged as I watched my necklace plunge intothe sea.precious • adjective1. rare and valuable2. special or dearMy most precious possession is this ring withfour precious gems in the setting.predicament • nouna difficult, dangerous, or unpleasant situationThe sailors were in a predicament when themainsail ripped.purchase • verbto buy somethingOur family tries to purchase things when they’re

on sale.R r

random • adjectivenot following any pattern or orderThe teacher put everyone’s name in a jar anddrew the teams in random order.recommend • verbto praise the value of something; suggest asworthwhilesynonym: endorseI recommend you try the milkshakes at the localdiner; they’re delicious!remedynouna medicine or treatment used for healingverbto return something to its proper conditionAdam’s mother gave him mint tea as a remedyfor his upset stomach. She hoped it wouldremedy his stomachache quickly.renovate • verbto make like newsynonym: to restoreThe school spent over one million dollars torenovate the old gym.replenish • verbto refillAfter the long race, the runners had to replenishthe water in their bodies.resource • nouna person or thing that is a source of help orsupportThe library is a great resource for learningabout American history.rickety • adjectivelikely to fall over or fall apart due to weaknessThe rickety old fence blew over with the firststrong winter wind.

S sscavenger • nounan animal that eats already dead and decayinganimalsThe deer’s carcass was soon picked clean byvultures and other scavengers.

shrub • noun

a plant that has several woody stems instead ofa trunksynonym: bushThe yard looked beautiful now that several ofthe shrubs were blooming.sluggish • adjectivemoving slowly; lacking energyAfter eating a big lunch and resting in thehammock, I felt so sluggish that I could barelymove.solo • nouna performance by one performerYou could tell that Anoki had been practicing,because he performed his solo perfectly.spontaneous • adjectivehappening without planningI wasn’t expecting the joke to be funny, but I letout a spontaneous laugh.stagnant • adjectivenot moving or flowingsynonym: stillWhen a puddle of water is stagnant, harmfulbacteria can grow in it.symphony • nouna long piece of music played by an orchestraThe famous composer Mozart wrote asymphony that was nicknamed “Jupiter.”

T ttedious • adjectiveboring; tiresomeThree hours of weeding a garden can betedious.temporary • adjectivesomething that lasts only for a short timeThe power outage was temporary; ourelectricity was back on by morning.thaw • verbto melt after being frozenThe frozen turkey must thaw in the refrigeratorfor three days before we can cook it.transmit • verb1. to pass on from one person or place toanother2. to send out signals by radio or televisionWhen the flu season begins, people try not totransmit their germs. Some radio stations eventransmit information on how to stay healthy.

treacherous • adjectivedangerous; hazardousSkydiving and mountain climbing can betreacherous sports.trivial • adjectiveof little or no importanceMy tiny scratch seemed trivial next to Drew’sbroken arm.

U uunique • adjectivesomeone or something that is the only one of itskindA fish that could survive on dry land would beunique.unkempt • adjectivenot groomed; not neat or tidyAfter a week of camping in the wilderness,everybody looked quite unkempt.unruly • adjectivehard to control; wildThe unruly crowd went wild when the rockstars appeared.

V vvanquish • verbto defeat; overcomesynonym: conquerZack had to vanquish his fear of the darkbefore going camping with his friends.velocity • nounrate of speed or motionA plane travels at a greater velocity than a car.ventriloquist • nounan entertainer who speaks without moving hisor her lipsThe ventriloquist made it look like his woodendummy was telling the jokes.

Wwweary • adjectivetired or exhaustedMom was weary after driving for almost threedays to get to Grandma’s house.