ISEE/SSATeasy

Easy ISEE Upper Level and SSAT vocabulary words (list of 612 with meanings)

612 of the 1,500 words in the deck. The easiest tier: words a strong middle-school reader mostly knows already. A student preparing for the Upper Level ISEE or SSAT should be sure of these first — the harder tiers build on them. Every word here is rated 125–480 on the deck's 1–1000 difficulty scale.

All 1,500 words, A–Z medium words hard words

abbreviate verb — to shorten a word or piece of writing
abound verb — to exist in great numbers
abrupt adjective — happening suddenly and without warning
absolute adjective — complete and total, without any exception or qualification
abundant adjective — existing in great quantity
accelerate verb — to begin moving or happening faster
acquire verb — to gain, obtain, or come to have something
adept adjective — very skilled
adequate adjective — enough for a particular need
adhere verb — to stick to something or follow it closely
adversary noun — an opponent or enemy
adverse adjective — preventing success; unfavorable or harmful
agenda noun — a list of topics to be discussed at a meeting
agile adjective — able to move quickly and easily
ailment noun — a minor illness
alter verb — make something different
ambiguous adjective — having more than one possible meaning; unclear
amble verb — to walk at a slow, relaxed pace
amend verb — to make changes to improve
analyze verb — to study something closely by examining its parts
announce verb — to make information publicly known
anonymous adjective — not identified by name; of unknown origin
antibiotic noun — a medicine that kills or stops the growth of bacteria
anticipate verb — to expect or prepare for something
anxious adjective — worried or nervous about what might happen
apparent adjective — easy to see or understand; seeming to be true
appointment noun — an arranged time to meet someone
apprehensive adjective — worried that something unpleasant may happen
arid adjective — extremely dry; lacking moisture
ascend verb — to move upward
ashamed adjective — feeling bad or guilty about something you did
aspire verb — to have a strong ambition to achieve something
assemble verb — to bring people or parts together; to come together as a group
assess verb — to judge or estimate the value, quality, or importance of something
assignment noun — a task given to someone to complete
assure verb — to tell someone confidently that something is true
attain verb — to achieve or reach a goal
attention noun — careful thought or notice given to something
attentive adjective — carefully listening or watching
attract verb — to pull something toward oneself or draw interest
attribute noun — a quality or characteristic of someone or something
audible adjective — loud or clear enough to be heard
audio noun — sound, especially when recorded or transmitted electronically
autobiography noun — a book about a person's life written by that same person
automatic adjective — operating by itself with little or no direct human control
avert verb — to prevent something harmful from happening
babble verb — to talk rapidly in a way that is hard to understand
baffle verb — to confuse or puzzle someone
bashful adjective — shy and easily embarrassed
beckon verb — to signal for someone to come closer
beforehand adverb — before a particular event
bewilder verb — to make someone feel completely confused
bewildered adjective — very confused and uncertain about what to do
bias noun — an unfair preference for or against something
biography noun — a written account of a person's life
biped adjective — having only two feet for walking or standing
bisect verb — to divide something into two equal parts
bizarre adjective — very strange or unusual, especially in an unsettling way
bliss noun — perfect happiness or joy
blurt verb — to say something suddenly without thinking first
blustery adjective — marked by strong, noisy winds
boast verb — to speak with excessive pride about one's achievements or possessions
bound verb — to move forward in long, energetic leaps
bristly adjective — covered with short, stiff hairs
brittle adjective — hard but easily cracked or broken
broad adjective — wide from side to side
bulk noun — the largest part or amount of something
burrow verb — to dig a tunnel or shelter in the ground
bustling adjective — full of busy activity
camouflage noun — a disguise that blends with the surroundings
candid adjective — truthful and straightforward; frank
candor noun — the quality of being open and honest
canopy noun — the leafy upper layer formed by forest trees
capture verb — to take hold of or seize, especially by force or skill
cautious adjective — careful to avoid danger, mistakes, or unnecessary risk
cavernous adjective — very large and open like a cave
censure verb — to express strong disapproval
certify verb — to formally confirm that something meets a standard
chatter verb — to talk quickly and casually about ordinary things
circumference noun — the distance around the outside edge of a circle
clarify verb — to make something easier to understand
classification noun — a grouping based on shared qualities
clumsy adjective — moving or handling things in an awkward way
clutch verb — to hold something tightly
clutter noun — a messy collection of things
cluttered adjective — filled with too many untidy things
coarse adjective — rough rather than smooth or soft
collaborate verb — to work together with others on a task
colossal adjective — extremely large in size, extent, or degree
coma noun — a deep, prolonged state of unconsciousness from which a person cannot be woken
commute verb — to travel regularly between home and work or school
compare verb — to look at two or more things to see how they are alike or different
compassionate adjective — showing deep sympathy and concern for others' suffering
compelling adjective — evoking interest or attention; convincing
complain verb — to say that you are unhappy about something
compose verb — to create something, such as a piece of music or a written work
comprehend verb — to understand fully
concentrate verb — to give something your full attention
concept noun — a general idea that helps people understand something
concise adjective — using few words while still being clear
conclude verb — to decide something after considering the facts
conclusion noun — a decision reached after careful thought
concur verb — to agree or be in accord
conduct verb — to organize and carry out
confide verb — to share a secret with someone trusted
conform verb — to comply with rules or norms
consecutive adjective — following one after another without a break
consent verb — to agree to or give permission for something
consider verb — to think carefully about something
considerable adjective — fairly great in amount or degree
considerate adjective — careful about other people's needs and feelings
constant adjective — continuing without stopping or changing
constrain verb — to limit or restrict someone or something
construct verb — to build something by putting parts together
contempt noun — the feeling that someone is worthless or beneath consideration
contribute verb — to give or add to a shared effort
controversial adjective — likely to cause disagreement or strong opinions
conundrum noun — a confusing and difficult problem
cooperative adjective — willing to work well with other people
cordial adjective — warm and friendly
countless adjective — too many to be counted
courage noun — the bravery to do something difficult or frightening
courteous adjective — polite and respectful toward other people
craggy adjective — rough and covered with steep rocks
cramped adjective — too small or crowded for comfort
cranky adjective — in a bad mood and easily annoyed
creak verb — to make a long, high squeaking noise
criticize verb — to point out faults or problems in something
crooked adjective — bent or not straight
crucial adjective — extremely important
curious adjective — eager to learn or find out about something
current adjective — happening or existing right now
custom noun — a usual way of doing something in a group or culture
customary adjective — usual according to habit or tradition
daring adjective — willing to try something bold or difficult
dart verb — to move suddenly and quickly
deadline noun — the latest time by which work must be finished
debate verb — to discuss different sides of a question or issue
decade noun — a period of ten years
decathlon noun — a track and field contest made up of ten different events
decent adjective — satisfactory, respectable, or morally correct
decimal adjective — relating to a number system based on units of ten
declare verb — to state something clearly and firmly
definite adjective — clearly decided, certain, or specific
delay verb — cause something to happen later
delighted adjective — very pleased and happy
democracy noun — a system of government in which citizens vote to choose their leaders
democrat noun — a supporter of government run by its citizens rather than a single ruler
democratic adjective — relating to or supporting equal rights and decision-making by the people
demonstrate verb — to show clearly by example or evidence
dependable adjective — able to be trusted to do what is needed
deplete verb — to reduce greatly in number or amount
derive verb — to obtain from a source or reach by reasoning from evidence
descend verb — to move downward
describe verb — to give an account of something in words
deserve verb — to be worthy of something because of actions or qualities
destruction noun — severe damage that ruins or wrecks something completely
detain verb — to keep someone from leaving; to hold back
detect verb — to notice or discover something
detest verb — to dislike intensely
detour noun — a different route taken to avoid something
devour verb — to eat something quickly and greedily
dialogue noun — a conversation between two or more people
dictate verb — to say or read something aloud for another person to write down, or to give orders
diligence noun — careful and persistent work or effort
diligent adjective — showing steady, careful effort
dingy adjective — dark, dirty, and dull-looking
discard verb — to throw away or get rid of something no longer needed
discord noun — lack of agreement; tension
dispose verb — to get rid of or throw something away
distinguish verb — to recognize the difference between things
downpour noun — a sudden period of heavy rain
draft noun — an early version of a piece of writing
dreadful adjective — extremely bad or unpleasant
dreary adjective — dull, gloomy, and not pleasant
drench verb — to make something completely wet
drift verb — to move slowly without a clear direction
drizzle noun — light rain made of very small drops
drowsy adjective — sleepy and not fully alert
durable adjective — able to withstand wear and last a long time
duration noun — the length of time something continues or lasts
dusty adjective — covered with fine, dry dirt
dwindle verb — to grow gradually less or smaller
eager adjective — excited and ready to do something
eccentric adjective — unconventional and slightly strange
effect noun — a result or change caused by something
effective adjective — producing the intended result; successful
elated adjective — extremely happy and excited
eloquent adjective — fluent and persuasive in speaking or writing
embarrassed adjective — feeling awkward or foolish in front of other people
emphasize verb — to give special attention or importance to something
empower verb — to give someone the authority or confidence to do something
enable verb — to give someone the means, authority, or opportunity to do something
enhance verb — to improve or make better
enigma noun — something puzzling or mysterious
enormous adjective — much larger than usual
enthusiastic adjective — showing intense excitement or eager interest in something
entire adjective — including every part
erupt verb — to burst out suddenly and violently
escort verb — to go with someone and guide them to a place
establish verb — to set up or prove firmly
eventually adverb — in the end after some time
evidence noun — facts or signs that help show whether something is true
evoke verb — to bring a feeling or memory to mind
evolve verb — to develop or change gradually over time
exaggerated adjective — made to seem larger, better, or worse than it really is
examine verb — to look at something closely
exclaim verb — to say something suddenly with strong feeling
exclusive adjective — limited to a particular person or group; not shared
excursion noun — a short trip taken for fun or learning
exemplary adjective — serving as a desirable model; very good
exoskeleton noun — hard external structure that supports and protects an animal's body
exotic adjective — unusual or foreign in a striking, fascinating way
export verb — to send goods or products to another country for sale
extract verb — to remove or take something out, often with effort
facilitate verb — to make a process easier or help it happen
factor noun — one thing that helps cause or influence a result
favor verb — to prefer or support one choice over another
feeble adjective — extremely weak or lacking strength
fleeting adjective — lasting for a very short time
flexible adjective — able to bend easily without breaking, or willing to change plans
flustered adjective — confused and nervous because of pressure
forage verb — to search in many places for something to eat
foresee verb — to know or realize something will happen before it does
former adjective — belonging to an earlier time or position
formulate verb — to create or develop a plan, idea, or explanation carefully
fortify verb — to strengthen or reinforce
fraction noun — a small part of a whole
fragrant adjective — having a pleasant smell
frank adjective — open, honest, and direct in speech
frazzled adjective — tired and upset from too much activity or worry
frequent adjective — occurring many times or at short intervals
frugal adjective — sparing with money or food; thrifty
frustrate verb — to prevent someone from achieving a goal, causing annoyance
fundamental adjective — serving as a necessary foundation or central part
fussy adjective — hard to please and easily bothered by small things
gale noun — a very strong wind
gaze verb — to look steadily for a long time
generous adjective — willing to give or share more than expected
genuine adjective — real, honest, or truly what it seems to be
geographic adjective — relating to the physical features of the earth and its regions
geography noun — study of earth's physical features and how people interact with them
geology noun — the scientific study of earth's rocks, layers, and history
gigantic adjective — extremely large in size
glance verb — to look at something briefly
gleaming adjective — shining brightly with a smooth light
glide verb — to move smoothly and easily
glimpse noun — a quick or partial look at something
gloomy adjective — sad and without much hope
glum adjective — quietly sad and unhappy
graceful adjective — moving in a smooth, controlled, and pleasing way
gradual adjective — developing slowly in small stages
grasp verb — to take and hold something firmly
gratify verb — to give pleasure or satisfaction
grimy adjective — covered with dirt or soot
grouchy adjective — easily annoyed and likely to complain
grumble verb — to complain in a quiet, annoyed way
guarded adjective — careful and not quick to trust or reveal
hefty adjective — large and heavy
heritage noun — traditions and achievements passed down through generations
hesitant adjective — unsure or slow to act
hesitate verb — to pause because you are uncertain
hexagon noun — flat shape with six straight sides and six angles
hexagonal adjective — having six straight sides and six angles
hibernate verb — to pass the winter in a deep, inactive sleep
hint verb — to suggest something without saying it directly
hollow adjective — having an empty space inside
hopeful adjective — believing that something good may happen
huddle verb — to crowd closely together
humble adjective — not behaving as if you are better than others
humid adjective — having a lot of moisture in the air
hybrid noun — something formed by combining two different elements or origins
hysterical adjective — overcome by uncontrollable emotion or excitement
identify verb — to determine what someone or something is
imitate verb — to copy someone's actions, speech, or sounds
immense adjective — extremely large or great
immune adjective — protected against a particular disease or influence
impartial adjective — treating all sides equally; unbiased
impatient adjective — annoyed because something is taking too long
implicit adjective — suggested or understood without being stated directly
imply verb — to suggest something without saying it directly
import verb — to bring goods or materials in from another country
incorporate verb — to include something as part of a whole
incredible adjective — so extraordinary that it is hard to believe
indescribable adjective — too extreme or unusual to be put into words
initial adjective — occurring at the beginning
inject verb — to force a liquid into something using pressure
inquire verb — to ask for information
insecure adjective — not confident about oneself or a situation
insist verb — to say firmly that something is true or must happen
inspect verb — to examine something carefully
instruct verb — to teach or direct someone in how to do something
interpret verb — to decide or explain what something means
interrupt verb — to speak while someone else is still talking
interval noun — a period of time or space between two things
intimidate verb — to frighten someone into doing what you want
introduce verb — to bring something into use or present someone for the first time
introduction noun — act of presenting something or someone for the first time, or an opening section of a text
investigate verb — to search for facts or answers
irritable adjective — becoming annoyed or bothered very easily
jagged adjective — having rough, sharp, uneven edges
jittery adjective — nervous and unable to keep still
kinship noun — a close connection or relationship, especially between family members
knowledge noun — information and understanding gained through learning
latter adjective — referring to the second of two things mentioned
lavish adjective — given or spent in great quantity; luxurious
lethargic adjective — sluggish; lacking energy
limit noun — the greatest amount, number, or point allowed
linger verb — to stay somewhere longer than expected
logical adjective — based on clear and sensible reasoning
loyal adjective — faithful to a person, team, or group
lurch verb — to move suddenly in an unsteady way
lush adjective — covered with thick, healthy plant growth
magnificent adjective — extremely impressive or beautiful
magnify verb — to make something appear or seem larger than it actually is
maintain verb — to keep in the same condition or continue
majority noun — more than half of a group
malice noun — the intention to do evil; ill will
manifest adjective — plainly visible or obvious
marshy adjective — soft and wet like a marsh
massive adjective — very large and heavy
mature adjective — behaving in a grown-up and thoughtful way
maximum noun — the greatest amount possible
meander verb — to follow a winding route without rushing
meek adjective — quiet, gentle, and submissive
metaphor noun — a figure of speech that describes something by calling it another thing
microscopic adjective — so small that it is difficult to see
migrate verb — to travel from one region to another at a certain season
mimic verb — to copy a person, animal, or sound
miniature adjective — much smaller than the usual size
minimum noun — the smallest amount possible
minority noun — less than half of a group
minute adjective — extremely small
mischievous adjective — playfully causing small amounts of trouble
miserable adjective — extremely unhappy or uncomfortable
mismanage verb — to handle or control something badly or carelessly
misplace verb — to put something somewhere and then lose track of it
moderate adjective — medium in amount or degree, not extreme
modest adjective — not large in size or amount
modify verb — to change something slightly, usually to improve it or make it fit
molt verb — to shed old feathers, skin, or fur
monarch noun — a king or queen who rules a country
monarchy noun — a system of government ruled by a king or queen
monologue noun — a long speech given by one person, often in a play or film
monopoly noun — exclusive control of a market or resource by a single seller
monotone adjective — lacking variation in pitch when speaking or singing
moody adjective — often changing quickly from one mood to another
morph verb — to change smoothly from one form into another
mosaic noun — a picture or pattern made from small pieces of colored material
muggy adjective — uncomfortably warm and damp
mumble verb — to speak too quietly or unclearly to be understood
murky adjective — dark or cloudy and hard to see through
murmur verb — to speak in a soft, quiet voice
musty adjective — having a stale smell from dampness or being closed up
mutation noun — a change in genetic material that can be passed to offspring
mutter verb — to speak in a low, hard-to-hear voice
naive adjective — lacking experience or judgment; innocent
narrate verb — to tell a story or describe a series of events
navigate verb — to find or guide a route to a place
neutral adjective — not supporting or favoring either side in a conflict or dispute
nocturnal adjective — active or happening mainly at night
nonchalant adjective — casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned
nostalgia noun — a wistful affection for the past
notion noun — an idea or belief about something
novelty noun — quality of being new, unusual, or original
novice noun — a beginner; someone new to an activity
nuisance noun — a person, thing, or situation that causes annoyance
numerous adjective — existing or appearing in large numbers
obedience noun — the quality of complying with rules, orders, or requests
objective adjective — based on facts rather than personal feelings
oblige verb — to do a favor for or accommodate someone; also, to compel or bind by duty
obscure adjective — not well known; hard to understand
observant adjective — quick to notice details
observe verb — to watch or notice something carefully
occasional adjective — happening sometimes but not often
octagon noun — a shape with eight straight sides and eight angles
octagonal adjective — shaped like an eight-sided figure
octopus noun — a soft-bodied sea creature with eight arms
omnivore noun — an animal that eats both plants and other animals
ongoing adjective — still happening or continuing
opaque adjective — not transparent; hard to understand
orderly adjective — neatly and carefully arranged
ordinary adjective — normal or not special
organize verb — to arrange things in a clear and useful way
outcome noun — the final result of an action or event
overcast adjective — covered with clouds
overdue adjective — not finished or arrived by the expected time
overwhelmed adjective — feeling unable to handle everything happening
panorama noun — wide, unbroken view of an area
parasite noun — an organism that lives on or in another and benefits at its expense
parched adjective — extremely dry from heat or lack of rain
partial adjective — forming only part of the whole
participate verb — to take part in an activity
patient adjective — able to wait calmly without getting upset
peculiar adjective — strange or different from what is usual
peer verb — to look closely or with difficulty
pentagon noun — a shape with five straight sides and five angles
perceive verb — to notice, understand, or become aware of something
permanent adjective — meant to remain or continue for a very long time
permit verb — to allow something to happen
perspective noun — a point of view or way of seeing something
persuade verb — to convince someone to do or believe something
pester verb — to annoy someone with frequent requests or interruptions
petite adjective — small and slim in build, especially referring to a woman's figure
philosopher noun — person who studies fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, and ethics
philosophy noun — the study of fundamental questions about knowledge, existence, and values
pinpoint verb — to identify or locate exactly
plead verb — to ask for something in an urgent or emotional way
plentiful adjective — available in a large amount
plod verb — to walk slowly with heavy steps
polygon noun — a closed flat shape with straight sides
portion noun — a part or share of something
portray verb — to describe, show, or represent someone or something
postpone verb — to delay an event to a later time
precaution noun — an action taken in advance to prevent harm or risk
precede verb — to come before something in time, order, or position
precise adjective — exact and accurate
precision noun — exactness and accuracy in details or measurements
predict verb — to say what will happen before it occurs
preliminary adjective — coming before the main or final stage
premature adjective — happening earlier than it should
prepared adjective — ready for what is going to happen
previous adjective — coming before the one now considered
prickly adjective — covered with small sharp points
principle noun — a basic rule, belief, or idea that guides action or thought
priority noun — something important that should be handled first
pristine adjective — extremely clean and in excellent condition
proficient adjective — competent or skilled in doing something
progression noun — a gradual movement or development from one stage to the next
promote verb — to support, encourage, or help grow
promptly adverb — without waiting or being late
pronounce verb — to make the sounds of a word when speaking
proofread verb — to check writing for mistakes
prowl verb — to move around quietly while searching
punctual adjective — arriving or happening at the planned time
puny adjective — smaller or weaker than expected
purpose noun — the reason why something is done or made
puzzle verb — to make someone feel confused or unsure
puzzled adjective — confused because something is difficult to understand
quadrilateral noun — flat shape with four straight sides
quantity noun — an amount or number of something
quip noun — a clever and amusing remark
ramble verb — to talk for a long time without staying on one subject
rearrange verb — to put things in a different order or position
reason verb — to reach a conclusion through careful thinking
reassure verb — to help someone feel less worried or uncertain
recall verb — to bring a fact or experience back to mind
recent adjective — happening or beginning not long ago
recite verb — to say something aloud from memory
recognize verb — to know someone or something from prior experience
recount verb — to tell about an event or experience in detail
recur verb — to happen again
reduce verb — to make something smaller in amount, size, or degree
redundant adjective — more than necessary; repeating
reflect verb — to think carefully about something for some time
refuse verb — to say no to something or choose not to do it
rehearse verb — to practice before a performance
relevant adjective — closely connected to the topic or matter being discussed
relieved adjective — glad because a worry or problem has ended
resentful adjective — upset because something seems unfair
resilient adjective — able to recover quickly from difficulties
resource noun — something useful that helps complete a task
responsible adjective — trusted to complete duties and make good choices
restless adjective — unable to relax or stay still
restore verb — to bring something back to an earlier or proper condition
restrained adjective — controlled and not excessive
resume verb — begin again after a pause
rethink verb — to think about something again
retort noun — a quick reply that often sounds annoyed
retrieve verb — to go and bring something back
review verb — to study something again
revise verb — to improve something by changing it
rickety adjective — poorly built and likely to shake or fall apart
riddle noun — a tricky question that requires thought to answer
roam verb — to travel around without a fixed route
routine noun — a usual pattern or way of doing things
rugged adjective — rough, rocky, and uneven
rummage verb — to search through things in a hurried way
sacrifice noun — giving up something valuable for the sake of something else considered more important
safeguard verb — to protect something from harm or loss
sage adjective — (adj) wise; (noun) a wise person
sample noun — a small part that shows what the whole is like
savory adjective — having a salty or spicy flavor instead of a sweet one
scamper verb — to run with quick, light steps
scarce adjective — insufficient for the demand, or rarely found
schedule noun — a plan showing when activities will happen
scoff verb — to speak as though something is foolish or unworthy
scold verb — to speak angrily to someone about their behavior
scramble verb — to move quickly using both hands and feet
scribble verb — to write or draw quickly and carelessly
scrutinize verb — to examine closely and critically
scurry verb — to move quickly with short, hurried steps
secluded adjective — quiet and far away from other people or places
selfish adjective — caring mainly about your own wants instead of others
sense noun — the ability to perceive or feel something through the body or mind
sensible adjective — showing practical and sound judgment
sequence noun — a set of things arranged in a particular order
shabby adjective — worn, faded, and in poor condition
shuffle verb — to walk while barely lifting the feet
simultaneous adjective — happening at the same time
sizable adjective — fairly large in size or amount
skeptical adjective — doubtful; not easily convinced
sketch verb — to make a quick, simple drawing
skid verb — to lose traction and slide along a surface
skillful adjective — good at doing something that requires practice
skittish adjective — easily frightened or made nervous
slender adjective — narrow and thin
slight adjective — small in amount or degree
sly adjective — clever in a secretive or deceptive way
soar verb — to fly or rise high in the air
sociable adjective — enjoying time and conversation with other people
soggy adjective — soaked with water and unpleasantly soft
solitary adjective — existing or done alone, without others
solution noun — an answer to a question or problem
somber adjective — dark and gloomy; serious
spacious adjective — having plenty of room inside
specify verb — to state something clearly and exactly
speckled adjective — marked with many small spots
spectator noun — a person who watches an event without participating
spotless adjective — completely clean and free of marks
sprint verb — to run at full speed for a short distance
stagger verb — to walk unsteadily as if about to fall
stale adjective — no longer fresh
stammer verb — to speak with repeated sounds or sudden pauses
startle verb — to surprise someone suddenly
startled adjective — suddenly surprised or alarmed
stealthy adjective — acting in a quiet, secretive, and unnoticed manner
stern adjective — serious and strict in manner
strategy noun — a plan of action designed to achieve a goal
stride verb — to walk with long, confident steps
stroll verb — to walk slowly and casually
stubborn adjective — unwilling to change one's mind or behavior
stumble verb — to trip or nearly fall while moving
sturdy adjective — strong and not easily damaged or weakened
submit verb — to give in to the authority or control of someone else
subsequent adjective — coming after something else
substantial adjective — large, important, or enough to matter
subtle adjective — not obvious; delicate or difficult to notice
sudden adjective — happening quickly and without warning
sufficient adjective — enough for a need or purpose
summarize verb — to state the main points briefly
supervise verb — to watch over an activity and make sure it is done properly
survive verb — to continue living or existing, especially through hardship or danger
sweltering adjective — uncomfortably hot
swerve verb — to turn suddenly away from a straight path
sympathy noun — a feeling of care or sorrow for someone else's misfortune
synthetic adjective — made artificially rather than occurring naturally
talkative adjective — liking to talk a great deal
tardy adjective — arriving or happening late
tattered adjective — old and torn in many places
technique noun — a particular method or skill used to perform a task
tedious adjective — boring because it is long or repetitive
telegraph noun — a device or system for sending coded messages over long distances by wire
telepathy noun — ability to know another person's thoughts without speaking or writing
telephone noun — a device that lets people talk to each other across long distances
telescope noun — an instrument used to view distant objects, especially in the night sky
tempo noun — the speed or pace at which something happens
temporary adjective — lasting or being used for a limited period
territory noun — an area of land under the control of a particular ruler, state, or animal
thaw verb — to become unfrozen as the temperature rises
theory noun — an idea that may explain how or why something happens
thermal adjective — relating to heat or temperature
thermometer noun — an instrument used to measure temperature
thermos noun — a container that keeps liquids hot or cold for a long time
thicket noun — a dense group of bushes or small trees
thorough adjective — careful, complete, and attentive to detail
thoughtful adjective — showing care for what other people need or feel
toxic adjective — poisonous or harmful to living things
transform verb — to change greatly in form or appearance
transport verb — to carry people or goods from one place to another
trek noun — a long and sometimes difficult journey
triangle noun — flat shape with three straight sides and three angles
trudge verb — to walk slowly with heavy, tired steps
trustworthy adjective — deserving to be trusted or relied on
truthful adjective — honest and likely to say what really happened
tumble verb — to fall or roll over and over
tundra noun — a vast, treeless arctic region with permanently frozen subsoil
ultimate adjective — being the final or greatest of its kind, beyond which nothing further exists
unbiased adjective — not favoring one side unfairly
underbrush noun — bushes and small plants growing beneath trees
uneasy adjective — slightly worried or uncomfortable
uneven adjective — not smooth, level, or equal
uniform adjective — the same throughout; not varying
unison noun — agreement or simultaneous action, especially in speaking or singing together
unruly adjective — difficult to control or discipline
vacant adjective — empty or unoccupied
vaccine noun — a substance used to stimulate immunity against a disease
vanish verb — to disappear quickly or completely
veer verb — to change direction suddenly
verify verb — to confirm the truth or accuracy of something
versatile adjective — able to do many different things well
vertebrate noun — an animal that has a backbone or spinal column
vibrant adjective — full of energy, brightness, or life
vigilant adjective — keeping careful watch for danger
visible adjective — able to be seen
vision noun — the ability to see, or a vivid idea of what the future could be
visualize verb — to form a clear picture of something in your mind
vivid adjective — bright, clear, and strong in the mind or senses
vocal adjective — expressing opinions or feelings freely and forcefully
volunteer verb — to offer to help without being required
voyage noun — a long journey, especially by sea or through space
waddle verb — to walk with short steps while rocking from side to side
wage verb — to engage in or carry on (a campaign or war)
wander verb — to move around without a clear destination
wary adjective — cautious about possible dangers or problems
weary adjective — very tired and needing rest
weave verb — to travel forward while turning from side to side
willful adjective — determined to do what one wants despite objections
wisdom noun — good judgment gained from knowledge and experience
withdraw verb — to pull back, remove, or stop taking part
witty adjective — showing a clever and quick sense of humor
yield verb — to give way, produce, or surrender