accompany (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —1 use as in:
accompany on the journey
The nurse accompanies the old woman everywhere.
accompanies = travels with
Definition
Generally this sense of accompany means:to travel along with
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9, p.142.3 |
2 —2 uses as in:
illness and accompanying symptoms
We'll need to increase public transportation to address the congestion that accompanies higher population density.
accompanies = occurs at the same time (as a result of)
Definition
Generally this sense of accompany means:to be present with at the same time and/or location
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3, p.51.3 |
adapt (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
adapted to the new rules
Ideas contained in passages for this test, some of which are excerpted or adapted from published material, do not necessarily represent the opinions of the College Board.
adapted = changed (to fit this situation)
Definition
Generally this sense of adapt means:changed to fit a different situation; or made suitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3, p.48.9 |
2 —1 use as in:
especially well adapted for
Penguins are especially well adapted for cold weather.
well adapted = well suited
Definition
Generally this sense of adapted means:to be especially well suited or appropriate for something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6, p.101.2 |
avert
11 uses
We are trying to avert a strike.
avert = prevent
Definition
Generally avert means:prevent from happening
or:
turn away or aside — often to turn your eyes away from something
or:
turn away or aside — often to turn your eyes away from something
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6, p.97.7 |
compensate
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
she compensates with extra effort
She uses several techniques to help compensate for her dyslexia.
compensate = make up
Definition
Generally this sense of compensate means:make up for; or adjust for
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 16, p.221.5 |
compose (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
compose a poem
The assignment is to compose a poem.
compose = write
Definition
Generally this sense of compose means:to write or create something with care — especially music or a literary work, but could be other things as diverse as a plan or a letter
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4, p.66.3 |
2 —1 use as in:
composed of many parts
The United States is composed of 50 states.
composed = made up
Definition
Generally this sense of compose means:to create something by arranging parts; or to be those parts
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1, p.4.6 |
comprehend
10 uses
I don't think she comprehends how dangerous this has become.
comprehends = fully understands
Definition
Generally comprehend means:to understand something — especially to understand it completely
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 20 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2, p.24.9 |
deride
8 uses
She relentlessly mocks and derides the younger students.
derides = criticizes with strong disrespect
Definition
Generally deride means:to criticize with strong disrespect — often
with humor
with humor
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6, p.91.2 |
embryo
35 uses
The doctor implanted multiple embryos to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.
embryos = a human in the first eight weeks of development (prior to the fetal stage and then birth)
(editor's note: A biology teacher will tell you that embryo describes the first eight weeks of human development prior to the fetal stage when organs have formed. But embryonic is also used to describe anything in the early stages of development, and Huxley uses embryo loosely to describe the developing human organism up until the time of birth.)
(editor's note: A biology teacher will tell you that embryo describes the first eight weeks of human development prior to the fetal stage when organs have formed. But embryonic is also used to describe anything in the early stages of development, and Huxley uses embryo loosely to describe the developing human organism up until the time of birth.)
Definition
Generally embryo means:an organism in the early stages of growth prior to birth, hatching, or sprouting; in humans the first eight weeks of development (prior to the fetal stage)
Word Statistics
| Book | 35 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1, p.7.2 |
engage (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 5 uses
1 —1 use as in:
engage in conversation
She engaged in conduct that is a violation of the honor code.
engaged = was involved
Definition
Generally this sense of engage means:to interact in various ways — such as to participate, involve, interest, or attract
The exact meaning of this sense of engage depends upon its context. For example:
- "They engaged in debate." — participated
- "She engaged him in conversation." — involved
- "She is an engaging conversationalist." — interesting
- "She has an engaging smile." — attractive (attracting interest and interaction)
- "The proposal engages the interest of many young voters." — attracts and involves
- "She engages with her constituents." — interacts in a meaningful way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2, p.19.5 |
2 —1 use as in:
engage her services
The school district engaged the services of her architectural firm.
engaged = hired
Definition
Generally this sense of engage means:hire, reserve, book, or occupy
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11, p.165.2 |
3 —3 uses as in:
engage the gears
The gears will not engage.
engage = move into position to work
Definition
Generally this sense of engage means:move into position to work; or start
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11, p.169.8 |
illustrate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
as illustrated by this example
Pictures of flooding help to illustrate the problem of global warming.
illustrate = make clear
Definition
Generally this sense of illustrate means:to help make clear — typically by example
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12, p.180.7 |
indignant
13 uses
She was indignant, but agreed to be searched when they accused her of shoplifting.
indignant = angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10, p.150.4 |
profound
10 uses
1 —10 uses as in:
profound sadness
Her apology was heartfelt—expressing profound sorrow and regret.
profound = intense (of great emotional depth)
Definition
Generally this sense of profound means:of greatest intensity or emotional depth
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6, p.94.7 |
surrogate
27 uses
The candidate stays positive by using surrogates to attack her opponent.
surrogates = people taking the place of another
Definition
Generally surrogate means:someone (or something) taking the place of another
Word Statistics
| Book | 27 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1, p.12.5 |
synthetic
24 uses
The couch is covered with synthetic leather.
synthetic = artificial (man-made rather than natural)
Definition
Generally synthetic means:artificial (man-made rather than natural); or not genuine
Word Statistics
| Book | 24 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1, p.12.8 |
tone
32 uses
Which of the following words best maintains the tone established in this passage.
tone = general feeling
Definition
Generally this sense of tone means:the general feeling, mood, or attitude of something — especially of something said or written
Word Statistics
| Book | 32 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1, p.17.1 |