A “Number the Stars” Vocabulary List to Help You Understand the Novel
Background Words
There are two types of vocabulary words that you’ll need to know in order to understand “Number the Stars”: background words and basic vocabulary words. This vocabulary list includes both types of words.
It is important to know the meanings of these background words before reading the novel, even though their meanings may be specific to the time period in which this book takes place, and even though some of the words are not commonly used. Some of these words will help you understand the situation between Germany and Denmark during World War II, whereas others are important to understanding the context of various events in the novel. (See this article for more introductory information about the book.)
Occupation (page 6): the control of one country by another country, by force (in this case, the control of Denmark by the Germans)
Resistance (page 7): the Danish underground who fought secretly to bring down the Nazis
Swastika (page 21): the Nazi symbol, which looks like a cross with its arms bent
Synagogue (page 33): Jewish house of worship
Typhus (page 85): a highly contagious disease, usually transmitted by lice or fleas
Vocabulary Words
Many of these vocabulary words are extremely common and can show up in other contexts – from textbooks you’ll study to other novels you’ll read. In addition, these words are often likely to show up on standardized tests, such as the SATs and ACTs. Make sure to look up these words in context in order to understand how to use them. (The page numbers in this article are taken from the 1989 edition, published by Houghton Mifflin Company.)
Lanky (page 1): tall and thin, usually referring to a person
Defiantly (page 4): in a rebellious way
Rapid (page 4): very fast
Disdainfully (page 29): strong dislike or repulsion
Rationed (page 43): given out in specified number or quantity, especially regarding food during wartime or drought
Imprinted (page 49): produced as a visual image by pressing one object into another object
Tentatively (page 50): with some doubt
Distorted (page 55): twisted
Deftly (page 75): skillfully
Dismayed (page 76): strongly disappointed
Reluctantly (page 78): with some unwillingness
Condescending (page 84): in a way that looks down upon someone else
Gnarled (page 97): twisted
Sprawling (page 102): falling in a way that one’s arms and legs are spread out awkwardly
Stricken (page 104): strongly affected by something, such as a piece of news
Donned (page 106): put on (usually a type of clothing)
Brusque (page 110): rude
Insolently (page 117): disrespectfully
Caustic (page 118): biting, harsh
Warily (page 120): in a distrustful way
This “Number the Stars” vocabulary list includes only some of the important words in the novel. As you find more vocabulary words that you are unfamiliar with, consider looking up their meanings and adding them to this list.
This post is part of the series: “Number the Stars” Study Guide
“Number the Stars,” by Lois Lowry, is an award-winning novel that takes place during World War II. This “Number the Stars” study guide can help you take apart the novel and understand the main ideas in the book.
