benevolent
13 uses
They called themselves The Benevolent Association because their mission was to help others.
benevolent = kind, generous, or charitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
candid
12 uses
Don't worry about my feelings. I'd like your candid opinion.
candid = honest and direct
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
conjecture
30 uses
She dismissed it as mere conjecture.
conjecture = a conclusion or opinion based on inconclusive evidence
Definition
Generally conjecture means:a conclusion or opinion based on inconclusive evidence; or the act of forming of such a conclusion or opinion
Word Statistics
| Book | 30 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
consequence (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 81 uses
1 —69 uses 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 | 69 uses |
| Library | 24 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
2 —12 uses 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 | 12 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
defer
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
deferred the decision
The weather forced us to defer our departure another day.
defer = postpone or delay
Definition
Generally this sense of defer means:postpone (hold off until a later time)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
diligent
13 uses
She's the kind of diligent worker we want to hire.
diligent = showing hard work and care
Definition
Generally diligent means:hard work and care in tasks — often continuing when others might quit because of difficulties
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
divine (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 9 uses
1 —8 uses as in:
to forgive is divine
Her pies are divine.
divine = wonderful
Definition
Generally this sense of divine means:wonderful; or god-like or coming from God
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
2 —1 use as in:
divined through intuition
They are trying to divine the outcome of next year's election.
divine = to discover something — usually through intuition or reflection
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
hinder
75 uses
Her efforts to turn the department around were further hindered by budgetary cuts.
hindered = slowed down or caused problems for
Definition
Generally this sense of hinder means:slow down or cause problems for
Word Statistics
| Book | 75 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
impetuous
18 uses
She regretted her impetuous promise.
impetuous = impulsive (made suddenly without much thought)
Definition
Generally this sense of impetuous means:impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) — often with an unfortunate consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 18 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
indulgent
21 uses
Indulgent parents risk spoiling their children.
indulgent = treating with extra kindness or leniency (in this case, not demanding enough of the children)
Definition
Generally indulgent means:to treat with extra kindness or tolerance
Word Statistics
| Book | 21 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
oblige (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 83 uses
1 —44 uses as in:
I am obliged by law.
The law obliges doctors to report suspected child abuse.
obliges = requires
Definition
Generally this sense of oblige means:require (obligate) to do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 44 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
2 —19 uses as in:
I obliged her every request.
She asked for help and we obliged her.
obliged = granted a favor to someone
Definition
Generally this sense of oblige means:grant a favor to someone
Word Statistics
| Book | 19 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
3 —20 uses as in:
I'm much obliged for your kindness
I am much obliged to you for your help.
obliged = grateful or indebted
Word Statistics
| Book | 20 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
prodigal
2 uses
The rainforest is filled with a prodigal variety of vegetation.
prodigal = abundant (many, many kinds)
Definition
Generally prodigal means:recklessly wasteful
or more rarely:
abundant (extravagant in amount)
or more rarely still:
long absent (someone who has been away a long time)
or more rarely:
abundant (extravagant in amount)
or more rarely still:
long absent (someone who has been away a long time)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
remonstrate
21 uses
When she has a complaint with her staff, she will remonstrate quietly and in private.
remonstrate = argue in protest or opposition
Word Statistics
| Book | 21 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
resolve (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 7 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
I resolved to stop drinking.
This year I resolved to lose a pound a week for 5 weeks.
resolved = decided
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:to decide — typically a firm or formal decision
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
2 —3 uses as in:
Her resolve weakened.
She never waivered in her resolve to attend a good college.
resolve = determination (firmness of purpose)
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:firmness of purpose (strong determination to do something)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Prel |
scrupulous
16 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 | 16 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |