Shades of Meaning - We try to expand our vocabulary in two different ways. I use an analogy to math class to illustrate this. Consider a graph with an x and y axis. In once sense, the x-axis represents all known words. We want to expand our vocabulary as much as possible by learning as many words as possible. But we also want to expand the depth of our vocabulary. I use the y-axis to demonstrate this. If a word has the same "x coordinates" as another word, that means they are similar in meaning - they are synonyms. But it's important to note that most synonyms are similar in meaning - they rarely have the exact same meaning. By learning as many synonyms as possible, we can be that much more precise and effective with our word choice.
Below is a list of words that have been assigned so far. Students should not only know the definitions of these words, but they should also be able to demonstrate the meaning of the words while using them in a sentence. By clicking on the Group #, you can see a document with definitions and examples for each of the words in that group.
Avowed
Blasé
Denigrate
Exasperate
Frivolous
Indiscriminate
Qualm
Sparse
Taciturn
Willful
Did you really think...
...there wouldn't be two more super-duper, topic-secret, out-of-this-world groups of vocabulary words?!?!?!
5.30.23