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bur • ly adj., strongly and heavily built. The burly waiter easily carried the tray filled with dishes.

pre • cise adj., exact. To make good dough, you must use the precise amount of flour.

as • sess v., evaluate. We will assess the playground to make sure it is safe.

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me • thod • i • cal adj., arranged in an orderly or systematic fashion. Jan was methodical about tracking every penny she earned, spent, and saved. methodically, adv.

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di • vert v., distract or turn from one course to another. The dam diverted river water to the pond.

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slow-wit • ted adj., mentally slow, dull. Lorna could be slow-witted about certain things, but her humor was always sharp.

a • loof adj., reserved and cool, distant. Kara’s aloof manner made it hard for her to find friends.

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fur • tive adj., sneaky, underhanded, sly. Joe fed his broccoli to the furtive dog under the table. furtively, adv.

re • source • ful adj., able to deal effectively with problems and challenges. Fayed proved himself a resourceful camper by acting confidently when the bear entered our camp.

com • pe • tent adj., capable. Joan can do the project—she is a competent manager.

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im • pos • ing adj., impressive in size, bearing, dignity, or grandeur. My mother, in her evening gown, was an imposing figure as she came down the long staircase to join the party.

ex • ul • ta • tion n., triumph, excitement, joyousness. The 4-H team’s exultation over winning the fair was obvious.

thwart v., hinder, obstruct; defeat. Sarah tried, unsuccessfully, to thwart my plans to get a puppy.

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wir • y adj., lean, sinewy, limber. Jake’s wiry body bounded past the other racers on the course.

prop • o • si • tion n., proposal, something offered for consideration or acceptance. In a formal proposition, the businesswoman listed her ideas for cutting costs.

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ap • pre • hen • sive adj., uneasy, fearful. I was apprehensive about performing in the big concert. apprehensively, adv.

pon • der • ous adj., heavy, unyielding. The ponderous problem bothered Jowana day and night. ponderously, adv.