bound (5 meanings)
5 meanings, 12 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
south-bound lanes
There was an accident in the south-bound lanes.
bound = travelling (in that direction)
Definition
Generally this sense of bound means:traveling in a particular direction or to a specific location
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
2 —5 uses as in:
She's bound to succeed.
She's bound to get into a good college.
bound = almost certain to
Definition
Generally this sense of bound means:almost certain to; or determined to
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
3 —1 use as in:
bound together
The pieces of bread are moistened and bound together with eggs and a small amount of flour.
bound = held together
Definition
Generally this sense of bound means:held together (connected or united) or wrapped
The exact meaning of this sense of bound is subject to its context. For example:
- "The pages of the book are bound with glue." — held together physically
- "The book is bound in leather." — wrapped or covered
- "The United States and England are bound together by a common language." — connected or united (tied together metaphorically)
- "She cleaned the wound and bound it with fresh bandages." — wrapped
- "She is wheelchair-bound." — connected (moves with a wheelchair because she is unable to walk)
- "The jacket has bound buttonholes." — edges wrapped by fabric or trim rather than stitches
- "She's the one in the bound-edge hat." — where the edge of the hat is wrapped in a decorative material.
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
4 —2 uses as in:
I can't/must. I'm bound by...
The suspect sat in the cell with her wrists bound by rope.
bound = tied together
Definition
Generally this sense of bound means:to be constrained in some way — such as tied up, prevented, required, or obligated
The exact meaning of this sense of bound is subject to its context. For example:
- "Her wrists were bound." — tied up
- "I am bound by my word." — required or obligated (in this case to keep a promise)
- "It is a binding contract." — must be obeyed (The people who signed the contract are legally required to do what it says or suffer legal penalties.)
- "He is muscle bound." — prevented from moving easily (due to having such large, tight muscles)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
5 —1 use as in:
The deer bound across the trail.
She's the sort of person who bounds out of bed in the morning and runs five miles before starting her day.
bounds = jumps
Definition
Generally this sense of bound means:to leap or jump
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
brash
5 uses
A brash newcomer wants to change the way the club operates.
brash = bold or self-confident in a manner that seems disrespectful
Definition
Generally this sense of brash means:bold or self-confident in a manner that seems disrespectful or tasteless
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
cavort
4 uses
The puppies cavorted in the basket.
cavorted = played in a lively, unrestrained manner
Definition
Generally cavort means:to play in a lively, unrestrained manner — typically with someone — sometimes implying sexual play
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
consequence (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
a direct consequence of
Your decision will have three major consequences.
consequences = results
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 26 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 31 |
2 —1 use as in:
of little consequence
Think carefully. This is a consequential decision.
consequential = important
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:importance or relevance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 37 |
disposition
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
a kind disposition
She has a cheerful disposition.
disposition = normal mood or typical way of behaving
Definition
Generally this sense of disposition means:someone's normal mood, personality, or typical way of behaving
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
feud
7 uses
Perhaps the most famous American family feud was between the Hatfields and McCoys.
feud = a bitter, long-standing fight
Definition
Generally feud means:a bitter, long-standing fight between two parties; or describing such a fight
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
fidget
6 uses
The child is always fidgeting in his seat
fidgeting = making small restless movements
Definition
Generally fidget means:to make small restless movements
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
fraudulent
21 uses
She stole money by filing a fraudulent insurance claim.
fraudulent = intended to deceive
Definition
Generally fraudulent means:intentional deception — usually for financial gain or ego
Word Statistics
| Book | 21 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 25 |
inscribe
9 uses
The ring was inscribed with these words...
inscribed = written upon
Definition
Generally inscribe means:to write
in various senses, including:
- to write, carve, or etch words onto something's surface — as in "The names of the major donors will be inscribed on the front wall."
- to write a signed message and/or signature — as in "She inscribed the book with the message: I know this story will speak to your heart. Love Emma"
- to write down something when adding it to a list — as in "Their names were inscribed in the register of at Ellis Island."
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 38 |
providence
9 uses
On the eve of battle, he prayed that providence was in our favor.
providence = luck; or God's plan
Definition
Generally this sense of providence means:resulting from God's intervention or plan; or lucky — especially with regard to when something happened
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
sober (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 6 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
Talk to me when your sober.
She was still sober enough to know the situation was dangerous.
sober = not under the influence of alcohol
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 31 |
2 —1 use as in:
a sobering thought
It's sobering to think that more Americans die from opioid abuse than in car accidents.
sobering = makes one serious about an issue
Definition
Generally this sense of sobering means:serious; or making one serious or calm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
soliloquy
3 uses
Perhaps the best known soliloquy is written by Shakespeare in Hamlet: "To be, or not to be: that is the question..."
soliloquy = a speech you make to yourself
Definition
Generally soliloquy means:a speech you make to yourself or as a long uninterrupted part of a conversation
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
sublime
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
she is sublime
I love good movies, from the silly to the sublime.
sublime = impressively wonderful
Definition
Generally this sense of sublime means:impressively wonderful — often beautiful or morally admirable
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
temperance
3 uses
The temperance movement led to Prohibition which completely outlawed the drinking of alcohol.
temperance = the belief that alcohol should not be drunk at all because it is harmful
Definition
Generally temperance means:not drinking alcohol because it is thought to be harmful
or:
moderation (not doing something excessively) — such as not eating or drinking too much
or:
moderation (not doing something excessively) — such as not eating or drinking too much
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |