Hey Veronica Roth: "Do You Need to Give Everything [in the Divergent series] a Name?"

In the third book in the Divergent series, one character says to another, "People always organize into groups. That's a fact of our existence." At another point in the series, a character complains, "Do you have to give everything a name?"

Groups. Groups with cool names. That's the essence of Veronica Roth. See how she makes ten cent words all her own with this list of the most important group names in her novels.

Looking for more? Find completely Divergent vocabulary lists here.
8 words 52 learners

Learn words with Flashcards and other activities

Definition First
Print Flashcards

Other learning activities

Answer a few questions about each word. Use this to prep for your next quiz! Compete with other teams in real time to see who answers the most questions correctly! Test your spelling acumen. Read the definition, listen to the word and try spelling it!

Teaching tools

Create and assign quizzes to your students to test their vocabulary. Assign learning activities including Practice, Vocabulary Jams and Spelling Bees to your students, and monitor their progress in real-time.

Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. divergent
    moving away from another or from a standard
    "My conclusion," she explains, "is that you display equal aptitude for Abnegation, Dauntless, and Erudite. People who get this kind of result are..." She looks over her shoulder like she expects someone to appear behind her. "...are called...Divergent." She says the last word so quietly that I almost don't hear it, and her tense, worried look returns. She walks around the side of the chair and leans in close to me.

    "Beatrice," she says, "under no circumstances should you share that info
  2. insurgent
    in opposition to a civil authority or government
    Fernando hops out of the truck bed and offers me his arm.
    "Come on, Insurgent," he says with a wink.
    "What?" I say. I take his arm and slide down the side of the truck....
    "Insurgent," he says. "Noun. A person who acts in opposition to the established authority, who is not necessarily regarded as a belligerent."
    "Do you need to give everything a name?" says Cara.
  3. allegiant
    steadfast in devotion
    [Evelyn] looks up, raising an eyebrow. "People always organize into groups. That's a fact of our existence. I just didn't expect it to happen this quickly."
    "What kind of organization?"
    "The kind that wants to leave the city," she says. "They released some kind of manifesto this morning. They call themselves the Allegiant." When she sees my confused look, she adds, "Because they're allied with the original purpose of our city, see?"
  4. amity
    a state of friendship and cordiality
    The Amity exchange smiles. They are dressed comfortably, in red or yellow. Every time I see them, they seem kind, loving, free. But joining them has never been an option for me.
  5. dauntless
    invulnerable to fear or intimidation
    My father calls the Dauntless "hellions." They are pierced, tattooed, and black-clothed. Their primary purpose is to guard the fence that surrounds our city. From what, I don't know.

    They should perplex me. I should wonder what courage — which is the virtue they most value — has to do with a metal ring through your nostril. Instead my eyes cling to them wherever they go.
  6. erudite
    having or showing profound knowledge
    At the Abnegation table, we sit quietly and wait. Faction customs dictate even idle behavior and supersede individual preference. I doubt all the Erudite want to study all the time, or that every Candor enjoys a lively debate, but they can't defy the norms of their factions any more than I can.
  7. abnegation
    renunciation of one's own interests in favor of others
    Candor values honesty, but our faction, Abnegation, values selflessness. ...When I look at the Abnegation lifestyle as an outsider, I think it's beautiful. When I watch my family move in harmony; when we go to dinner parties and everyone cleans together afterward without having to be asked; when I see Caleb help strangers carry their groceries, I fall in love with this life all over again. It's only when I try to live it myself that I have trouble. It never feels genuine.
  8. candor
    the quality of being honest and straightforward
    The Candor man wears a black suit with a white tie — Candor standard uniform. Their faction values honesty and sees the truth as black and white, so that is what they wear.
Created on Mon Mar 09 10:59:41 EDT 2015 (updated Thu Mar 12 09:36:24 EDT 2015)

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.