aesthetic
3 uses
It was not aesthetically pleasing.
aesthetically = in a manner that is beautiful or tasteful
Definition
Generally aesthetic means:related to beauty or good taste — often referring to one's appreciation of beauty or one's sense of what is beautiful
or:
beautiful or tasteful
or:
beautiful or tasteful
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6.7 |
anxiety
31 uses
She suffers from more than the usual pre-test anxiety.
anxiety = nervousness or worry
Word Statistics
| Book | 31 uses |
| Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
apathy
3 uses
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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.6 |
apparent
37 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 | 37 uses |
| Library | 55 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.2 |
benevolent
7 uses
They called themselves The Benevolent Association because their mission was to help others.
benevolent = kind, generous, or charitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.6 |
capricious
2 uses
Nothing seems more capricious than a tornado.
capricious = impulsive or unpredictable
Definition
Generally capricious means:impulsive or unpredictable or tending to make sudden changes — especially impulsive behavior
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.3 |
complacent
1 use
He had become complacent after years of success.
complacent = contented (unworried and satisfied) — often to a fault
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.5 |
despair
44 uses
Don't despair—help is on the way!
despair = give up hope
Definition
Generally despair means:hopelessness
Word Statistics
| Book | 44 uses |
| Library | 27 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.7 |
dissent
2 uses
The Alien and Sedition Acts were attempts to silence early political dissent in America.
dissent = disagreement
Definition
Generally dissent means:to disagree; or disagreement or conflict — typically between people who cooperate, and often with official or majority beliefs
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.3 |
eccentric
6 uses
She's a little eccentric, but we don't mind because she's the best player on the team.
eccentric = unconventional or strange
Definition
Generally eccentric means:unconventional or strange; or a person with such traits
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.1 |
enigma
5 uses
As Churchill said about Russia, it is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.
enigma = something mysterious that seems unexplainable
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5.4 |
ephemeral
2 uses
Her fame was ephemeral.
ephemeral = existing only for a short time
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.2 |
indignant
20 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 | 20 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.6 |
lethargic
1 use
Large lunches make me feel lethargic in the afternoon.
lethargic = lacking energy
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6.1 |
mitigate
3 uses
Don't judge her so harshly until you consider the mitigating circumstances.
mitigating = making less harmful or unpleasant
Definition
Generally mitigate means:make less harmful or unpleasant
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.5 |
novel
1 use
We're looking for novel advertising ideas.
novel = new and original
Definition
Generally this sense of novel means:new and original — typically something considered good
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.2 |
obstinate
6 uses
She is an obstinate child who will not follow the family rules.
obstinate = stubbornly not doing what others want
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.4 |
prudent
5 uses
She was promoted to manager because she is so prudent.
prudent = sensible and careful
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3 |
scrupulous
2 uses
You can count on her. She is scrupulous in her work.
scrupulous = careful to behave ethically and/or diligently
Definition
Generally scrupulous means:careful to behave ethically and/or diligently (with great care and attention to detail)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.2 |
trepidation
1 use
She began her first day at the new school with some trepidation.
trepidation = fear or anxiety about what will happen
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.1 |