apprehension
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
apprehension about finals
Lennie's face wrinkled with apprehension.
apprehension = worry
Definition
Generally this sense of apprehension means:worry about what is to come
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
apprehensive
1 use
She was suddenly apprehensive.
apprehensive = worried
Definition
Generally apprehensive means:worried over possible misfortune
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
belligerent
1 use
Now Lennie retorted belligerently, "He ain't neither."
belligerently = in a hostile manner
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 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
bemused
1 use
They all sat still, all bemused by the beauty of the thing, each mind was popped into the future when this lovely thing should come about.
bemused = deep in thought
Definition
Generally bemused means:perplexed or bewildered
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
brusque
2 uses
"Awright," he said brusquely.
brusquely = abruptly
Definition
Generally brusque means:abrupt (sudden and quick — without taking the time to be friendly)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
complacent
2 uses
Lennie, who had been following the conversation back and forth with his eyes, smiled complacently at the compliment.
complacently = with satisfaction
Definition
Generally complacent means:contented (unworried and satisfied) — often to a fault
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
contort
2 uses
His face was contorted.
contorted = twisted into an unnatural shape
Definition
Generally contort means:twist or bend to an unnatural shape — something such as the human body, a facial expression, or the truth
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
deliberate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a deliberate thinker
He used a deliberate, thoughtful slowness.
deliberate = careful and slow
Definition
Generally this sense of deliberate means:done with great care — often slowly
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
derogatory
1 use
He had drawn a derogatory statement from George.
derogatory = expressing disrespect or criticism
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
direct
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
depart directly
Slim came directly to George and sat down beside him, sat very close to him.
directly = immediately
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:without delay, or in the quickest manner, or without going somewhere else first
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
earnest
1 use
"No I ain't," Lennie explained earnestly.
earnestly = sincerely
Definition
Generally earnest means:characterized by sincere belief
or:
intensely or excessively serious
or:
intensely or excessively serious
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 20 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
elaborate
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
an elaborate wink
He took on the elaborate manner of little girls when they are mimicking one another.
elaborate = exaggerated
Definition
Generally this sense of elaborate means:to exaggerate an action
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
grave
1 use
There was a gravity in his manner and a quiet so profound that all talk stopped when he spoke. His authority was so great that his word was taken on any subject, be it politics or love.
gravity = seriousness and importance (weightiness)
Definition
Generally this sense of grave means:serious and/or solemn
The exact meaning of this sense of grave can depend upon its context. For example:
- "This is a grave problem," or "a situation of the utmost gravity." — important, dangerous, or causing worry
- "She was in a grave mood upon returning from the funeral." — sad or solemn
- "She looked me in the eye and gravely promised." — in a sincere and serious manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
indignant
1 use
She was breathless with indignation.
indignation = anger at something that is unjust
Definition
Generally indignant means:angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
morose
3 uses
He fell morosely silent.
morosely = unhappily
Definition
Generally morose means:unhappy — often with a withdrawn personality
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
precede
1 use
Carlson stepped back to let Slim precede him, and then the two of them went out the door.
precede = go before
Definition
Generally precede means:to go or do before
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
scorn
3 uses
She turned on him in scorn.
scorn = total disrespect
Definition
Generally scorn means:treat with a strong disrespect or disdain — sometimes accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
skeptical
2 uses
"I ain't so sure," said George skeptically.
skeptically = with doubt
Definition
Generally skeptical means:doubtful (that something is true)
or more rarely:
generally tending to doubt what others believe
or more rarely:
generally tending to doubt what others believe
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
sullen
3 uses
her face lost its sullenness and grew interested.
sullenness = gloominess (appearance of a bad mood)
Definition
Generally sullen means:showing a gloomy or bad mood — often by not interacting with others in a friendly way
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
tone
4 uses
His tone was friendly.
tone = attitude
Definition
Generally this sense of tone means:the general feeling, mood, or attitude of something — especially of something said or written
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |