An Ideal Husband — Vocabulary
Oscar Wilde
(Auto-generated)

Word Set

Samples

Sort By

Further limit words

by act of first use

to Show all

by difficulty

to (9 is most difficult)

by interest

underline any show only

Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	1	top 100
consequenceconsequence → consequences:results Your decision will have three major consequences.more Show sample from book He always seems to think that he is addressing the House, and consequently whenever he discusses the state of the agricultural labourer, or the Welsh Church, or something quite improper of that kind, I am obliged to send all the servants out of the room.1 more consequence → consequently:resultantly (as a result) Show general definition for consequence (as in: a direct consequence of) a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
	1	top 1000
consequence#2consequence → consequential:important Think carefully. This is a consequential decision.more Show sample from book It really is of no consequence, Lady Chiltern.†1 more importance Show general definition for consequence (as in: of little consequence) importance or relevance
	7	top 1000
tediousboring I'll have to endure one of her tedious lectures.more Show sample from book What I don't like are tedious, practical people.6 more Show general definition boring -- especially because something goes on too long or without variation
	5	top 200
indignantindignant → indignantly:with anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong "I am not a fool," she said indignantly.more Show sample from book with mock indignation4 more indignant → indignation:anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong Show general definition angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
	5	top 500
trivialunimportant We're in agreement on the main issues. We just have some trivial details to work out.more Show sample from book How very trivial of him!†4 more Show general definition of little importance -- sometimes more specifically describing a challenge as easy and uninteresting
	6	top 1000
frauddeception to get something illegally She was arrested for committing credit card fraud after using someone else’s account to buy expensive electronics.more Show sample from book It is because your husband is himself fraudulent and dishonest that we pair so well together.5 more fraud → fraudulent:intentionally dishonest to trick people Show general definition the act of deceiving someone for personal gain; or a person or thing that is not what it pretends or appears to be
	5	top 2000
infamousfamous (for something bad) He is one of Chicago's most infamous mobsters.more Show sample from book She is a vile, an infamous thing!†4 more having an exceedingly bad reputation Show general definition having an exceedingly bad reputation
	5	top 2000
operaa classical music play in which most of the dialogue is sung She is a popular opera singer.more Show sample from book I hear she went to the Opera on Monday night,4 more Show general definition a form of musical theater with orchestra in which most of the words are sung, often in a classical style and sometimes in a foreign language
	2	top 100
yieldgive in The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.more Show sample from book I tell you that there are terrible temptations that it requires strength, strength and courage, to yield to.1 more give in, give way, or give up Show general definition for yield (as in: yield to pressure) to give in, give way, or give up
	2	top 100
alludeallude → alluded:indirectly referenced He alluded to Susan without mentioning her name.more Show sample from book The affair to which you allude was no more than a speculation.1 more to make an indirect reference Show general definition to make an indirect reference Show editor's word notes The expression, no allusion can mean "not even an indirect reference"; i.e., neither a direct nor an indirect reference to something.
	3	top 500
paradoxsomething that seems contradictory but is true It’s a paradox that the more we learn, the more we realize how little we know.more Show sample from book That is a paradox, sir.†2 more a situation or statement that seems to contradict itself but may still be true Show general definition a situation or statement that seems to contradict itself but may still be true
	4	top 2000
morbiddisturbing She has a morbid interest in death.more Show sample from book that is morbid of you3 more showing an unhealthy interest Show general definition for morbid (as in: a morbid curiosity) suggesting death and decay; or an unhealthy interest in disturbing thoughts -- such as of death or cruelty
	3	top 1000
loathehate I make New Year's resolutions every year and then loathe myself for breaking them.more Show sample from book Think of their loathsome joy, of the delight they would have in dragging you down,2 more loathe → loathsome:disgusting or very bad Show general definition hate, detest, or intensely dislike Show editor's word notes Word Confusion: Do not confuse loathe with loath which sounds very similar or the same. Loathe is a verb while loath is an adjective describing "reluctance or unwillingness to do something." Note that loathing and loathsome are forms of the verb loathe even though both word forms lack the "e". Occasionally, you will see loath spelled as loathe even in a published book, but it is rare enough that it is generally considered an error rather than a non-standard spelling.
	3	top 1000
susceptibleeasily influenced or harmed I am more susceptible to colds than most.more Show sample from book And I found him most susceptible,—susceptible to reason, I mean.†2 more easily influenced or harmed; OR capable of being treated in a particular way Show general definition easily influenced or harmed or: capable of being treated in a particular way
	5	top 1000
pessimisticexpecting that things will turn out badly; Despite the team's losing streak, the coach tried to remain optimistic, while the players grew increasingly pessimistic.more Show sample from book Optimism begins in a broad grin, and Pessimism ends with blue spectacles.†4 more pessimistic → pessimism:expectation that things will turn out badly Show general definition expecting that things will turn out badly; or focusing on the bad part of things
	3	top 1000
scrupulouscareful and thorough You can count on her. She is scrupulous in her work.more Show sample from book Years ago you did a clever, unscrupulous thing; it turned out a great success.2 more scrupulous → unscrupulous:unethical Show context notes The prefix "un-" in unscrupulous means not and reverses the meaning of scrupulous. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky. Show general definition careful to behave ethically and/or diligently (with great care and attention to detail)
	4
conceitexcessive pride Her conceit will be her downfall.more Show sample from book They call it being conceited.†3 more conceit → conceited:excessively proud of oneself Show general definition for conceit (as in: confident, but not conceited) excessive pride in oneself, arrogance, or vanity
	3
swindlefraud (or deception) to steal money She stole over a million dollars in her biggest swindle.†more Show sample from book This Argentine scheme is a commonplace Stock Exchange swindle.†2 more tricking or cheating someone -- usually to get money Show general definition tricking or cheating someone -- usually to get money
	3
affectationbehaving in an artificial way to make an impression She is comfortable in her own skin and meets strangers without affectation.more Show sample from book I hate this affectation of youth, sir.2 more Show general definition behaving in an artificial way to make an impression
	2
philanthropyhelping others Her primary interests are family and philanthropy.†more Show sample from book And philanthropy seems to me to have become simply the refuge of people who wish to annoy their fellow-creatures.1 more Show general definition helping others -- especially donating money to worthy causes; or an organization that does so