List of Use context to identify the meaning of a word
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Abandon | To leave behind or give up completely |
| Abundant | Present in large quantities; plentiful |
| Access | The ability or right to approach or use |
| Accommodate | To provide space or meet needs |
| Accumulate | To gather or collect over time |
| Adapt | To adjust or change to fit new conditions |
| Adhere | To stick firmly to something |
| Agony | Extreme physical or mental suffering |
| Allegiance | Loyalty or commitment to a group or cause |
| Ambition | A strong desire to achieve something |
| Ample | More than enough; plentiful |
| Anguish | Severe pain or distress |
| Anticipate | To expect or look forward to |
| Anxious | Feeling worried or nervous |
| Apparel | Clothing |
| Appeal | A request for help or sympathy |
| Apprehensive | Anxious or fearful about the future |
| Arid | Extremely dry or barren |
| Arrogant | Overly proud; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance |
| Awe | A feeling of wonder or admiration |
| Barren | Lacking vegetation or life; empty |
| Beacon | A guiding or warning signal, like a light |
| Beneficial | Producing good or helpful results |
| Blunder | A careless or serious mistake |
| Boisterous | Noisy and energetic |
| Boycott | To refuse to buy or participate as a protest |
| Burden | A heavy load or responsibility |
| Campaign | A series of actions aimed at achieving a goal |
| Capacity | The maximum amount something can hold |
| Capital | A city where government is based; also, money for investment |
| Chronological | Arranged in order of time |
| Civic | Relating to a city or citizenship |
| Clarity | Clearness or lucidity |
| Collaborate | To work together |
| Collide | To crash into each other |
| Commend | To praise or express approval |
| Commentary | An explanation or interpretation |
| Compact | Small and neatly packed |
| Composure | Calmness or self-control |
| Concise | Brief and to the point |
| Consent | Permission or agreement |
| Consequence | A result or effect of an action |
| Conserve | To protect from loss or harm |
| Conspicuous | Easily seen or noticed |
| Constant | Happening all the time; unchanging |
| Contaminate | To make impure or dirty |
| Context | The surrounding words or situation |
| Continuous | Without interruption |
| Controversy | A public disagreement or debate |
| Convenient | Easy to use or access |
| Cope | To deal with difficulties |
| Cordial | Warm and friendly |
| Cultivate | To prepare and use land for crops; to develop |
| Cumulative | Increasing by successive additions |
| Debris | Scattered fragments, typically of something wrecked |
| Decade | A period of ten years |
| Decline | To decrease or refuse |
| Decompose | To break down into parts |
| Dedicate | To commit time or effort to a purpose |
| Defiant | Boldly resisting authority |
| Deliberate | Done consciously and intentionally |
| Demeanor | Behavior or manner |
| Depict | To represent or show in a picture or words |
| Derive | To obtain from a source |
| Desolate | Empty and bleak |
| Deteriorate | To become worse over time |
| Diligent | Hardworking and careful |
| Discreet | Careful to avoid attention or offense |
| Disperse | To spread out or scatter |
| Distinct | Clearly different or separate |
| Diversity | Variety; differences within a group |
| Domestic | Related to home or family |
| Drastic | Extreme or severe |
| Durable | Long-lasting |
| Eager | Excited or enthusiastic |
| Efficient | Working well without wasting time or resources |
| Elaborate | Detailed and complex |
| Embrace | To hug; to accept willingly |
| Emphasize | To give special importance to something |
| Endeavor | A serious attempt or effort |
| Endure | To suffer patiently; to last |
| Enhance | To improve or increase |
| Enormous | Very large |
| Enthusiastic | Showing intense interest or excitement |
| Essential | Absolutely necessary |
| Establish | To set up or create |
| Evaluate | To assess or judge |
| Exaggerate | To make something seem larger or more important than it is |
| Excel | To do very well |
| Exclude | To leave out |
| Exhibit | To show or display |
| Expand | To increase in size or amount |
| Exploit | To take advantage of |
| Expose | To reveal or uncover |
| Extend | To make longer or wider |
| Extensive | Covering a large area |
| Extraordinary | Very unusual or remarkable |
| Facilitate | To make easier |
| Feasible | Possible and practical |
| Ferocious | Fierce or violent |
| Fluctuate | To change frequently |
| Forbid | To prohibit or not allow |
| Fortunate | Lucky or having good fortune |
| Fragile | Easily broken or damaged |
| Frigid | Extremely cold |
| Function | The purpose or role of something |
| Fundamental | Basic and essential |
| Furious | Very angry |
| Generate | To produce or create |
| Genuine | Real or authentic |
| Grateful | Thankful |
| Grieve | To feel deep sorrow |
Let’s practice!
Read the passage and then answer the question.
Phillis Wheatley arrived in America on a slave ship in 1761. She was thought to be eight years old at the time. After her arrival, Phillis was sold to the Wheatleys, a Boston family whose surname she took. Members of the family helped teach Phillis how to read and write. Since most enslaved people were not allowed any schooling at that time, Phillis’s education was an anomaly. Phillis learned about many topics, including history, languages and science. At the age of thirteen, she published her first poem. In 1773, Phillis Wheatley made history by becoming the first African American to publish a book of poems. She became one of the first American women to do so as well.