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Holes vocabulary words from Louis Sachar's novel

Holes by Louis Sachar blends adventure, humor, and hardship at Camp Green Lake, and its plain-spoken style still introduces plenty of rich vocabulary along the way. This list pulls together words tied to the setting, the digging, and the characters' backstories. It suits middle-grade readers studying the novel in class or reading it independently.

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Holes vocabulary words from Louis Sachar's novel

30 words
WordMeaningIn a sentenceSave
excavateverbTo dig into the ground to expose or remove something, often as part of construction or archaeology.Archaeologists spent months excavating the ancient temple buried beneath the desert sand.
wardennounA person responsible for the supervision or protection of a place, institution, or group of people.The prison warden reviewed each inmate's file before the parole hearing.
delinquentadjectiveFailing to do what is required by law or duty, or a young person who repeatedly breaks the law.The bank sent a notice about the delinquent account balance.
destinynounThe events that will necessarily happen to a person or thing in the future, especially as if predetermined by fate.She believed it was her destiny to become a doctor, just like her grandmother before her.
ancestornounA person from whom one is descended, typically more distant than a grandparent.Her ancestors emigrated from Ireland to Boston during the great famine of the 1840s.
outlawnounA person who has broken the law and is being pursued by authorities, especially a fugitive.The old western told the story of an outlaw hunted across three states by federal marshals.
banditnounA robber or outlaw, especially one belonging to an armed gang that attacks travelers.The stagecoach was ambushed by bandits hiding along the narrow mountain pass.
treasurenounA collection of valuable objects, such as gold, jewels, or money, especially when hidden or hoarded.Divers searched the sunken ship for treasure rumored to be worth millions.
peculiaradjectiveStrange or unusual, especially in a way that is slightly puzzling.There was a peculiar smell coming from the basement that nobody could identify.
desolateadjectiveEmpty, bleak, and lacking signs of life or comfort, or feeling utterly lonely and hopeless.The abandoned mining town looked desolate, its streets empty and windows broken.
isolatedadjectiveSeparate or set apart from others, whether physically distant or occurring as a single instance.The cabin was isolated, sitting miles from the nearest small town.
resiliencenounThe ability to recover quickly from difficulties, setbacks, or hardship.Her resilience after the accident inspired everyone who watched her recovery.
endureverbTo experience something difficult over a long period without giving up, or to continue existing over time.The pioneers endured harsh winters with little shelter or food.
consequencenounA result of an action, choice, or event.One consequence of the road closure was heavier traffic on the side streets.
juvenileadjectiveRelating to, intended for, or characteristic of young people who are not yet adults.The library has a large juvenile section filled with books for young readers.
counselornounA person trained to give guidance or advice, especially on personal, psychological, or legal matters.The school counselor helped her decide which colleges to apply to.
barrenadjectiveNot producing much or any vegetation, crops, or offspring; empty or unproductive.The explorers crossed miles of barren desert without seeing a single tree.
scorchingadjectiveExtremely hot, or, figuratively, very intense, fast, or harshly critical.We stayed indoors during the scorching afternoon heat rather than risk sunstroke.
toxicadjectivePoisonous, or harmful to health, relationships, or well-being in a damaging, often insidious way.The factory was fined for dumping toxic waste into the nearby river.
cursenounA spoken wish for harm to befall someone, or a supposed magical spell believed to bring misfortune.According to legend, the pharaoh's tomb carries a curse that dooms anyone who disturbs it.
onionnounA round vegetable bulb with a strong smell and taste, used widely in cooking.Chopping the onion made her eyes water before she even started cooking.
superstitionnounA belief that certain actions or objects bring good or bad luck, not based on reason or evidence.Many sailors held the superstition that whistling on board would summon a storm.
droughtnounA long period of unusually low rainfall that leads to a shortage of water.The drought forced farmers to ration water carefully across their fields.
fatenounA power believed to control future events beyond human control, or the outcome that eventually happens to someone.She believed fate had brought them together on that crowded train platform.
shovelnounA tool with a broad blade and a long handle, used for digging or moving loose material such as earth or snow.He grabbed a shovel from the shed to clear the snow from the driveway.
sneakernounA casual sports shoe with a flexible rubber sole, worn for comfort or athletic activity.He laced up his sneakers before heading out for his morning run.
lizardnounA reptile with a long body, four legs, and a tail, usually covered in scales.A green lizard darted across the warm rock and disappeared into a crack.
injusticenounUnfair treatment or a lack of fairness within a system or society.The documentary exposed a long history of injustice in the local courts.
stubbornadjectiveRefusing to change one's opinion, position, or course of action despite pressure or good reasons to do so.The stubborn toddler refused to eat anything but plain pasta for dinner.
reformverbTo improve something, especially a law, system, or institution, by removing its faults.Lawmakers voted to reform the tax code to make it fairer for small businesses.

Words tied to Camp Green Lake's setting

Many of these words describe the harsh, sun-baked world of Camp Green Lake, where boys dig holes in a dried-up lakebed as punishment. Words like desolate, barren, scorching, and drought capture the physical setting, while excavate, warden, and delinquent describe the camp's routine and rules. Together they help readers picture just how demanding life at the camp really is.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of vocabulary appears in Holes?

The novel uses vocabulary tied to its desert setting, its camp routine, and the family curse that runs through the plot, rather than especially advanced or technical words.