abrupt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an abrupt change
The bus came to an abrupt stop.
abrupt = sudden and unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.10 |
apathy
1 use
Seeing too much senior apathy, the high school began having juniors declare a major for their senior year.
apathy = lack of interest and enthusiasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.14 |
apparent
12 uses
The effects of the drought are apparent to anyone who sees the dry fields.
apparent = clear or obvious
Definition
Generally apparent means:clear or obvious; or appearing as such but not necessarily so
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 50 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.9 |
belligerent
1 use
She spoke to her teacher in a belligerent tone and was sent to the office.
belligerent = hostile or combative
Definition
Generally belligerent means:hostile (the attitude of one eager to fight); or one already engaged in a fight or war
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.9 |
cease
16 uses
They signed a cease-fire agreement.
cease = to stop or discontinue (in this case, to stop firing weapons at each other)
Definition
Generally cease means:to stop or discontinue
Word Statistics
| Book | 16 uses |
| Library | 24 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
complacent
1 use
He had become complacent after years of success.
complacent = contented (unworried and satisfied) — often to a fault
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
decorum
1 use
All decorum was lost in the classroom.
decorum = manners and conduct considered to be proper and in good taste
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.2 |
despondent
1 use
When her mother died, she was so despondent it was hard for her to get out of bed.
despondent = depressed
Definition
Generally despondent means:emotionally depressed — especially a feeling of grief and hopelessness after a loss
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.5 |
deter
2 uses
She was slow to decide what to do, but once she did nothing could deter her from her chosen course of action.
deter = discourage (prevent)
Definition
Generally deter means:try to prevent; or prevent
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.6 |
efficacious
1 use
The drug is safe and efficacious.
efficacious = effective in producing an intended effect
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.3 |
emerge
11 uses
China recently emerged as a world power.
emerged = came out (became)
Definition
Generally emerge means:to come out, or to appear
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 42 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.5 |
expedient
1 use
It was a necessary expedient to get the job done.
expedient = a speedy or practical action
(The word necessary, implies that there were undesired aspects of the action.)
(The word necessary, implies that there were undesired aspects of the action.)
Definition
Generally expedient means:a practical action — especially one that accepts negative tradeoffs due to circumstances
or:
convenient, speedy, or practical
or:
convenient, speedy, or practical
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.2 |
furtive
2 uses
She watched me in a furtive manner—trying to hide her interest.
furtive = cautious or taking pains to avoid being observed
Definition
Generally furtive means:taking pains to avoid being observed
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.11 |
incessant
3 uses
She grew annoyed by the child's incessant questions.
incessant = continuous (and often annoying)
Definition
Generally incessant means:continuous — often in an annoying way
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.17 |
lethargic
2 uses
Large lunches make me feel lethargic in the afternoon.
lethargic = lacking energy
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.1 |
mean
1 use
We have a mean annual rainfall of 23 inches.
mean = average
Definition
Generally this sense of mean means:an average of n numbers computed by dividing the sum of the numbers by n; for example, 3 for the numbers 1,2, and 6
= (1+2+6) / 3
= 9 / 3
= 3
= (1+2+6) / 3
= 9 / 3
= 3
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
perceive
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
though blind, can perceive light
I could perceive the ship coming over the horizon.
perceive = become aware of
Definition
Generally this sense of perceive means:to become aware of — especially by using the senses (to see, hear, smell, feel, or taste)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3 |
precipitate
2 uses
1 —2 uses
adj as in: a precipitate decision
I had planned to ask her, but she made a precipitate departure.
precipitate = sudden (acting with great haste)
Definition
Generally this sense of precipitate means:acting with great haste — often without adequate thought
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.7 |
sufficient
10 uses
We have sufficient supplies.
sufficient = adequate (enough — often without being more than is needed)
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 20 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.4 |
wanton
1 use
She is known for wanton behavior.
wanton = excessive, thoughtless indulgence — such as waste, cruelty, violence, and especially sexual promiscuity
Definition
Generally wanton means:of something considered bad: excessive, thoughtless indulgence — such as waste, cruelty, violence, and especially sexual promiscuity
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.9 |