124 words every grade 9 speller should know, each with a kid-friendly definition. Hear them read aloud and practice for free with the Spellaroo spelling quiz.
High-frequency words students should recognize instantly.
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| abstract | existing in thought; not concrete |
| analyze | to examine in detail |
| assume | to suppose without proof |
| clarify | to make clear |
| coherent | logical and consistent |
| consequence | result of action |
| construct | to build |
| derive | to obtain from source |
| distinguish | to recognize differences |
| factor | element that contributes |
| imply | to suggest without stating |
| issue | problem; topic |
| policy | course of action |
| principle | basic rule or belief |
| process | series of actions |
| relevant | closely connected |
| respond | to answer |
| role | part played by someone |
| section | part of something larger |
| theory | explanation based on evidence |
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| acknowledge | to admit or recognize |
| adaptation | change to fit environment |
| aesthetic | relating to beauty |
| ambiguous | having more than one meaning |
| anomaly | something unusual |
| antagonist | opponent; enemy |
| articulate | to express clearly |
| assertion | confident statement |
| assumption | something accepted as true |
| authenticity | quality of being genuine |
| bias | prejudice; unfair preference |
| brevity | shortness; conciseness |
| chronological | arranged in time order |
| circumstance | condition or situation |
| coincidence | remarkable occurrence |
| collaborate | work jointly on an activity |
| commentary | expression of opinions about event |
| complement | thing that completes or goes well with |
| complexity | state of being complicated |
| component | part of larger whole |
| compromise | settlement by mutual concession |
| connotation | implied meaning |
| constitute | be a part of a whole |
| contemporary | belonging to or occurring in present time |
| contradict | deny the truth of statement |
| controversial | giving rise to public disagreement |
| conventional | based on what is generally done |
| correlation | mutual relationship |
| credibility | quality of being believable |
| criteria | standards for judging |
| crucial | decisive or critical |
| cultural | relating to arts and intellectual achievements |
| deduction | reasoning from general to specific |
| demonstration | showing how something works |
| depict | to show or describe |
| deteriorate | become progressively worse |
| deviate | depart from established course |
| diminish | make or become less |
| discrepancy | difference; inconsistency |
| distortion | twisting out of shape |
| dominate | have commanding influence on |
| duration | time during which something continues |
| economic | relating to economics or economy |
| elaboration | detailed explanation |
| emerge | move out of or away from something |
| emphasis | special importance given to something |
| empirical | based on observation |
| enhance | intensify, increase, or improve quality |
| epiphany | sudden realization |
| equivalent | equal in value, amount, or meaning |
| evaluate | to judge the value of |
| evident | clearly seen or understood; obvious |
| exploit | make full use of and derive benefit from |
| exposition | detailed explanation |
| external | belonging to or forming outer surface |
| figurative | metaphorical; not literal |
| fluctuate | rise and fall irregularly in number |
| foreshadow | to hint at future events |
| function | purpose; to work |
| fundamental | forming necessary base or core |
| generate | cause something to arise or come about |
| global | relating to whole world; worldwide |
| identical | similar in every detail; exactly alike |
| implication | conclusion that can be drawn |
| inference | conclusion from evidence |
| intuition | understanding without reasoning |
| irony | contrast between expectation and reality |
| juxtaposition | placing side by side |
| locate | discover exact place or position |
| manipulate | handle or control in skillful manner |
| metaphor | comparison without using like or as |
| notion | idea or concept |
| obtain | get, acquire, or secure something |
| paradox | contradictory statement |
| perspective | point of view |
| precedent | earlier event taken as example |
| preliminary | coming before main part |
| primarily | for most important part; mainly |
| priority | fact of being regarded as more important |
| proceed | begin or continue with course of action |
| purchase | acquire something by paying for it |
| qualify | be entitled to particular benefit |
| quote | repeat or copy words from text |
| random | made without conscious decision |
| rationale | reasoning behind decision |
| reaction | response to something |
| recover | return to normal state of health |
| redundant | unnecessary repetition |
| reject | dismiss as inadequate or unacceptable |
| rely | depend on with full trust |
| reveal | make previously unknown fact known |
| specify | identify clearly and definitely |
| strategy | plan of action designed to achieve goal |
| subsequent | coming after something in time |
| substitute | thing acting or serving in place of another |
| survey | look closely at or examine |
| symbolism | use of symbols to represent ideas |
| temporary | lasting for only limited period |
| tradition | belief passed down within group |
| transition | change from one state to another |
| utilize | make practical and effective use of |
| vary | change or cause to change in character |
| violate | break or fail to comply with rule |
| widespread | found or distributed over large area |