Vocabulary List #11

Veto: to reject

•    Theodore had planned on taking his mom's brand new car on his Friday night date, but she vetoed that idea.

•    The principal informed the student council that she has the power to veto any of its decisions if she disagrees with them.

prominent: outstanding; distinguished; readily noticeable

•    Brennas aunt was such a prominent lawyer that she didn't even need to advertise.

•    Jay Leno has a prominent chin.

ethical: moral or right

•    "Stealing money from your sister to buy a pack of gum is not ethical," said Mrs. Howard.

•    Clarisse joined the demonstrators outside the company's walls. "The cruel and painful experiments some companies perform on animals are not ethi­cal," she said.

Cliche: a stale, over-used expression

•    "Quiet as a mouse" is a cliche. So is "You can't have your cake and eat it, too."

•    Since Harold uses a lot of cliches, it is easy to finish his sentences for him.

introvert: a person whose thoughts and interests are directed mostly inward.

•    Even though April seemed to be an introvert, the drama teacher thought she would be great as the lead in the school play.

•    An introvert is more likely to prefer writing in a diary to talking on the phone with friends.

extrovert: an outgoing person

•    An extrovert is more likely to prefer going to a party to writing in his diary.

•    Although she liked the extroverts in her class very much, the teacher often had to scold them for talking during class.
 

List #11 continued

Comprehend:  to understand

•    "I’ll never comprehend this algebra lesson," muttered Evelyn, "even if I

study it for 20 years!"

•   To help his students comprehend the workings of a hot air balloon, the        "

professor brought in a diagram.                                                                                                         -..;-,

profound: deep; intense; intelligent

•    The editor was hoping to someday receive a book manuscript full of pro­found insight into human nature, but all she ever got was silly fluff.

•    Evan expected a profound answer when he asked the artist the meaning of her painting, but all she said was, "It's just a painting."

transition: a change

•    Ninas mother says lip gloss is the perfect transition between wearing no make-up at all and wearing lipstick.

•    The transition between grade school and junior high is difficult for many students.

Simultaneously: happening at the same time

•    Brian simultaneously talked on the phone and played solitaire on the com­puter.

•    Jonathon was a deep sleeper, so he set six alarm clocks to go off simultane­ously the morning of his first day of school.

Bonus Words

gobbledygook: words that are confusing and needlessly official-sounding

•    The contract was just a bunch of gobbledygook to Tim, so he decided to have his lawyer clarify it for him before he signed.

•    Since the politician didn't really know the answer to the reporters question, he just spoke a lot of gobbledygook to try to cover up his ignorance.

carcinogenic: cancer-causing

•    Although cigarettes are carcinogenic, many people unwisely smoke them anyway.

•    If you're worried about getting cancer, use sunscreen when you're outside. The sun's UV rays are carcinogenic.