Holes by Louis Sachar

Dávid S.
332 words 103 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. shrivel
    decrease in size, range, or extent
  2. hover
    hang in the air; fly or be suspended above
  3. hay
    grass mowed and cured for use as fodder
  4. stifle
    impair the respiration of or obstruct the air passage of
  5. stuffed
    filled with something
  6. slump
    assume a drooping posture or carriage
  7. convict
    find or declare guilty
  8. gruff
    deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or emotion
  9. woodpecker
    a bird with a strong bill that bores into trees for insects
  10. howl
    cry loudly, as of animals
  11. befall
    become of; happen to
  12. stagecoach
    a large coach-and-four formerly used to carry passengers and mail on regular routes between towns
  13. strand
    leave isolated with little hope of rescue
  14. grunt
    issue a low, animal-like noise
  15. dazed
    stunned or confused and slow to react
  16. desolate
    providing no shelter or sustenance
  17. rundown
    a concluding summary
  18. burlap
    coarse jute fabric
  19. wiggle
    move to and fro
  20. grumble
    make complaining remarks or noises under one's breath
  21. jumpsuit
    one-piece garment fashioned after a parachutist's uniform
  22. blaze
    a strong flame that burns brightly
  23. hastily
    in a hurried manner
  24. holster
    a sheath for carrying a handgun
  25. buzzard
    a vulture common in South America and the southern U.S.
  26. compound
    a substance formed by chemical union of two or more elements
  27. weary
    physically and mentally fatigued
  28. cot
    a small bed that folds up for storage or transport
  29. crate
    a rugged box (usually made of wood); used for shipping
  30. stacked
    arranged in a stack
  31. file out
    march out, in a file
  32. whirl
    the act of rotating rapidly
  33. spigot
    a regulator for controlling the flow of a liquid
  34. stall
    a small area set off for special use
  35. scratchy
    unpleasantly harsh or grating in sound
  36. scarcity
    a small and inadequate amount
  37. knob
    a round handle
  38. rinse off
    wash off soap or remaining dirt
  39. suds
    the froth produced by soaps or detergents
  40. mop up
    to wash or wipe with or as if with a mop
  41. testify
    give a solemn statement in a court of law
  42. retrieve
    go for and bring back
  43. despicable
    morally reprehensible
  44. jam
    press tightly together or cram
  45. blade
    the flat part of a tool or weapon that has a cutting edge
  46. shaft
    a long rod or pole, especially the body of a weapon
  47. dent
    an impression in a surface (as made by a blow)
  48. might
    physical strength
  49. scoop out
    take out or up with or as if with a scoop
  50. lukewarm
    moderately warm
  51. mound
    structure consisting of an artificial heap or bank usually of earth or stones
  52. defective
    having a flaw
  53. pry
    move or force in an effort to get something open
  54. unearth
    recover through digging
  55. perimeter
    a line enclosing a plane area
  56. puffy
    being puffed out; used of hair style or clothing
  57. forlorn
    marked by or showing hopelessness
  58. sow
    an adult female hog
  59. runt
    disparaging terms for small people
  60. suckle
    suck milk from the mother's breasts
  61. pop
    cause to make a sharp explosive sound
  62. deftly
    in an agile manner
  63. alas
    by bad luck
  64. rip
    tear or be torn violently
  65. preposterous
    inviting ridicule
  66. blush
    become rosy or reddish
  67. mutter
    talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
  68. baloney
    pretentious or silly talk or writing
    NAmE [U] bologna (mixture of meats put in sandwiches)
  69. dawdle
    hang or fall in movement, progress, development, etc.
  70. expanse
    a wide and open space or area, as of land, sea, or sky
  71. stagger
    walk with great difficulty
  72. wharf
    a platform from the shore that provides access to ships
  73. pier
    a platform built out from the shore into the water
  74. clod
    a compact mass
  75. frizzy
    having tight curls that are not smooth and neat
  76. bob up
    originate or come into being
  77. spring
    a metal elastic device that returns to its shape or position
  78. lullaby
    a quiet song intended to help a child go to sleep
  79. grimace
    contort the face to indicate a certain mental state
  80. chunk
    a compact mass
  81. fling
    throw with force or recklessness
    (flung, flung)
  82. nonetheless
    despite anything to the contrary
  83. predatory animal
    any animal that lives by preying on other animals
  84. sprawl
    sit or lie with one's limbs spread out
  85. felt
    a fabric made of compressed matted animal fibers
  86. trip
    miss a step and fall or nearly fall
  87. lump
    an awkward, foolish person
  88. vinyl
    shiny, tough, and flexible plastic
  89. upholstery
    covering on a piece of furniture
  90. scowl
    frown with displeasure
  91. wreck
    smash or break forcefully
  92. shrug
    raise shoulders to show one doesn't know or care about something
  93. dump
    throw away as refuse
  94. loosen up
    make one's body limber or suppler by stretching, as if to prepare for strenuous physical activity
  95. arced
    forming or resembling an arch
  96. peek
    throw a glance at; take a brief look at
  97. toss
    throw with a light motion
  98. bulge
    swell or protrude outwards
  99. slam
    strike violently
  100. smug
    marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction
  101. plop
    drop something with a plopping sound
  102. glisten
    be shiny, as if wet
  103. squint
    partly close one's eyes, as when hit by direct light
  104. sift
    move as if through a sieve
  105. etched
    cut or impressed into a surface
  106. snap
    move or strike with a noise
  107. stamp down
    to put down by force or authority
  108. pierce
    penetrate or cut through with a sharp instrument
  109. haze
    dust or smoke in the air that causes reduced visibility
  110. swish
    move with or cause to move with a whistling or hissing sound
  111. pitchfork
    a pronged, long-handled tool for lifting hay
  112. intently
    with strained or eager attention
  113. busted
    out of working order
  114. tended to
    having a caretaker or other watcher
  115. cart away
    take away by means of a vehicle
  116. lid
    a movable top or cover (hinged or separate) for closing the opening at the top of a box, chest, jar, pan, etc.
  117. sneak out
    leave furtively and stealthily
  118. evict
    expel from one's property or force to move out
  119. startle
    surprise greatly
  120. jab
    poke or thrust abruptly
  121. gash
    a wound made by cutting
  122. jerk
    a sudden abrupt pull
  123. throbbing
    pounding or beating strongly or violently
  124. callus
    a skin area that is thick or hard from continual pressure
  125. penetrating
    having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
  126. sniff
    inhale audibly through the nose
  127. trail
    a track or mark left by something that has passed
  128. spill
    flow, run or fall out and become lost
  129. oak tree
    a deciduous tree of the genus Quercus
  130. sneak
    to go stealthily or furtively
    (sneaked, sneaked) but NAmE informal: (snuck, snuck)
  131. clasp
    hold firmly and tightly
  132. unclasp
    release from a clasp
  133. latch
    spring-loaded doorlock that can be opened from the outside
  134. venom
    toxin secreted by animals
  135. hearth
    a built-in space in a wall where a fire can be built
  136. slant
    lie obliquely
  137. clutch
    take hold of; grab
  138. moan
    an utterance expressing pain or disapproval
  139. recede
    retreat
  140. shrill
    having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones
  141. twitch
    make an uncontrolled, short, jerky motion
  142. writhe
    move in a twisting or contorted motion
  143. coil
    a round shape formed by a series of connected loops
  144. credit
    have trust in; trust in the truth or veracity of
  145. flap
    a movable airfoil that is part of an aircraft wing
  146. defiance
    an act boldly resisting authority or an opposing force
  147. jolt
    a sudden jarring impact
  148. sparkle
    reflect brightly
  149. emerald
    a green transparent form of beryl
  150. bushel
    a United States dry measure equal to 4 pecks or 2152.42 cubic inches
  151. clove
    moderate sized very symmetrical red-flowered evergreen widely cultivated in the tropics for its flower buds which are source of cloves
  152. nutmeg
    East Indian tree widely cultivated in the tropics for its aromatic seed; source of two spices: nutmeg and mace
  153. crooked
    having or marked by bends or angles; not straight or aligned
  154. hinge
    a joint that holds two parts together so that one can swing
  155. brag
    an instance of boastful talk
  156. ranch
    farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
  157. spew
    eject or send out in large quantities
  158. in line
    awaiting something; especially something due
  159. cantaloupe
    muskmelon vine having fruit with a tan rind and orange flesh
  160. jagged
    having a sharply uneven surface or outline
  161. ladle
    put a liquid into a container by means of a large spoon
    n. a spoon-shaped vessel with a long handle
  162. oatmeal
    porridge made of rolled oats
  163. gurgle
    make sounds similar to bubbling water
  164. gasp
    a short labored intake of breath with the mouth open
  165. grotesque
    distorted and unnatural in shape or size
  166. parched
    extremely thirsty
  167. nozzle
    a projecting spout from which a fluid is discharged
  168. splatter
    cause or allow to run or flow from a container
  169. batch
    (often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent
  170. lotion
    any of various cosmetic preparations that are applied to the skin
  171. wart
    any small rounded protuberance
  172. pimple
    a small inflamed elevation of the skin
  173. arthritis
    inflammation of a joint or joints
  174. resent
    feel bitter or indignant about
  175. folk
    people in general (often used in the plural)
  176. concoction
    any foodstuff made by combining different ingredients
  177. distracted
    having the attention diverted especially because of anxiety
  178. wobble
    move sideways or in an unsteady way
  179. quiver
    shake with fast, tremulous movements
  180. mob
    a disorderly crowd of people
  181. drawl
    a slow speech pattern with prolonged vowels
  182. hitch
    hook or entangle
  183. wade
    walk through relatively shallow water
  184. sparingly
    to a meager degree or in a meager manner
  185. lousy
    very bad
  186. vile
    morally reprehensible
  187. substance
    the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists
  188. unscrew
    loosen something by unscrewing it
  189. loot
    goods or money obtained illegally
  190. rummage
    search haphazardly
  191. scraggly
    lacking neatness or order
  192. whack
    the act of hitting vigorously
  193. screech
    sharp piercing cry
  194. drenched
    abundantly covered or supplied with
  195. delirious
    experiencing hallucinations
  196. dab
    apply (usually a liquid) to a surface
  197. jut
    extend out or project in space
  198. shove
    come into rough contact with while moving
    /ʃʌv/
  199. feeble
    pathetically lacking in force or effectiveness
  200. flurry
    a light brief snowfall
  201. gag
    a restraint put into a person's mouth to prevent speaking
  202. riot
    a state of disorder involving group violence
  203. swing
    change direction with a swinging motion; turn
    (swung, swung)
  204. crumple
    gather something into small wrinkles or folds
  205. bat
    beat thoroughly and conclusively in a competition or fight
  206. cluster
    a grouping of a number of similar things
  207. slit
    a long narrow opening
  208. ward
    a person who is under the protection of another
  209. Attorney General
    the position of the head of the Justice Department and the chief law enforcement officer of the United States
    abbreviation: A.G.
  210. fidget
    move restlessly
  211. pinkie
    the finger farthest from the thumb
  212. dangle
    hang freely
  213. rev
    rate of revolution of a motor
  214. lever
    a simple machine giving a mechanical advantage on a fulcrum
  215. lurch
    move suddenly or as if unable to control one's movements
  216. lopsided
    turned or twisted toward one side
  217. mirage
    optical illusion in which hot air distorts distant objects
    /ˈmɪrɑːʒ/
  218. shimmer
    shine with a weak or fitful light
  219. pass up
    refuse to accept
  220. grim
    harshly uninviting or formidable in manner or appearance
  221. stir
    move very slightly
  222. drooping
    hanging down (as from exhaustion or weakness)
  223. raspy
    unpleasantly harsh or grating in sound
  224. flop
    fall loosely
  225. mushy
    having the consistency of a soft or soggy mass
  226. tangy
    having a strong tart, sour, or piquant taste
  227. shiver
    shake, as from cold
  228. root beer
    carbonated drink containing extracts of roots and herbs
  229. sundae
    ice cream served with toppings
  230. fudge
    soft creamy candy
  231. rut
    a groove or furrow
  232. ledge
    a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water
  233. frail
    physically weak
  234. boost
    push or shove upward, as if from below or behind
  235. interwoven
    linked, laced, or locked closely together
  236. slab
    block consisting of a thick piece of something
  237. protrude
    extend out or project in space
  238. fiery
    like or suggestive of a flame
  239. twirl
    turn in a twisting or spinning motion
  240. increment
    the amount by which something increases
  241. dotted
    having a pattern of dots
  242. foothold
    a place that provides support for standing or climbing
  243. swarm
    a group of many things in the air or on the ground
  244. gnat
    any of various small biting flies
  245. swat
    hit with quick blow
  246. wrenching
    causing great physical or mental suffering
  247. tangle
    twist together or entwine into a confusing mass
  248. vine
    a plant with a weak stem that derives support from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface
  249. stoop
    bend one's back forward from the waist on down
  250. precipice
    a very steep cliff
  251. tumble
    fall down, as if collapsing
  252. gully
    a deep ditch cut by running water
  253. glop
    any gummy shapeless matter; usually unpleasant
  254. soggy
    (of soil) soft and watery
  255. tan
    a light brown the color of topaz
  256. lap up
    take up with the tongue
  257. intertwine
    spin, wind, or twist together
  258. quack
    an untrained person who pretends to be a physician
  259. leech
    carnivorous or bloodsucking aquatic or terrestrial worm
  260. snicker
    laugh quietly
  261. contritely
    in a manner expressing pain or sorrow
  262. deserted
    forsaken by owner or inhabitants
  263. indentation
    a concave cut or depression in a surface or edge
  264. murky
    cloudy, dirty, and difficult to see through
  265. sundial
    timepiece that indicates the daylight hours by the shadow that the gnomon casts on a calibrated dial
  266. sprout
    produce buds or branches; germinate
  267. stink
    smell badly and offensively
  268. petal
    part of the perianth that is usually brightly colored
  269. flutter
    flap the wings rapidly or fly with flapping movements
  270. fugitive
    someone who is sought by law officers
  271. crib
    baby bed with high sides made of slats
  272. squeak
    make a high-pitched, screeching noise
  273. slide
    move smoothly along a surface
    (slid, slid)
  274. Styrofoam
    a light resilient foam of polystyrene
  275. clink
    a short light metallic sound
  276. scape
    upright consisting of the vertical part of a column
  277. apiece
    to or from every one of two or more
  278. abruptly
    quickly and without warning
  279. clank
    a loud resonant repeating noise
  280. creak
    make a high-pitched, squeaking noise
  281. exhale
    expel air
  282. frosted
    (of glass) having a roughened coating resembling frost
  283. swig
    a large and hurried swallow
  284. chip away
    remove or withdraw gradually: "These new customs are chipping away at the quality of life"
  285. flake
    come off in flakes or thin small pieces
  286. pronounced
    strongly marked; easily noticeable
  287. treasure chest
    a chest filled with valuables
  288. scrape
    cut the surface of; wear away the surface of
  289. expose
    make visible or apparent
  290. budge
    move very slightly
  291. precarious
    not secure; beset with difficulties
  292. wedge
    force into a tight space
  293. in the nick of time
    at the last possible moment
  294. scramble
    move hurriedly
  295. commotion
    a disorderly outburst or tumult
  296. illuminate
    make lighter or brighter
  297. blast
    a sudden, loud sound
  298. shatter
    break into many pieces
  299. scurry
    move about or proceed hurriedly
  300. frantically
    in an uncontrolled manner
  301. flinch
    draw back, as with fear or pain
  302. bundle
    a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
  303. fleck
    a small fragment of something broken off from the whole
  304. cheery
    bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
  305. marshmallow
    spongy confection made of gelatin and sugar
  306. perch
    an elevated place serving as a seat
  307. leap
    move forward by bounds
    (leapt, leapt)
  308. pounce
    move down on as if in an attack
  309. numb
    lacking sensation
  310. trill
    a note that alternates with another note a semitone above it
  311. T
    the 20th letter of the Roman alphabet
    tarnation - (old-fashioned, especially North American English)
    a word that people use to show that they are annoyed with somebody/something
  312. trace
    a just detectable amount
  313. custody
    guardianship over
  314. delirium
    a usually brief state of excitement and mental confusion
  315. rant
    talk at length in a noisy, excited, or angry manner
  316. rave
    talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner
  317. red-handed
    in the act of committing a crime or other reprehensible act
  318. detainee
    a person held in custody
  319. hysterical
    characterized by a state of violent mental agitation
  320. pursuant
    in conformance to or agreement with
  321. confined
    being in captivity
  322. indefinitely
    to an unknown extent
  323. incarcerate
    lock up or confine, in or as in a jail
  324. Girl Scouts
    an organization of young women and girls founded in 1912 for character development and citizenship training
  325. stock certificate
    a certificate documenting the shareholder's ownership in the corporation
  326. deed of trust
    a written instrument legally conveying property to a trustee often used to secure an obligation such as a mortgage or promissory note
  327. promissory note
    a promise to pay a specified amount on demand or at a certain time
  328. dugout
    a shelter beside a baseball field for players and coaches
  329. fan
    agitate the air
  330. shush
    urge someone to be quiet
  331. fluff
    make a mess of, destroy or ruin
  332. weathered
    worn by exposure to the elements
Created on Mon Dec 24 05:04:19 EST 2012 (updated Thu Dec 27 13:09:52 EST 2012)

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