caustic
1 use
Don't get it on your skin. It's caustic.
caustic = harsh or capable of hurting skin (like a strong acid)
Definition
Generally caustic means:of a chemical substance: corrosive; capable of destroying or eating away such as a strong acid
or:
of a person: sarcastic, critical, or harsh
or:
of a person: sarcastic, critical, or harsh
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
conservatory
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
plants in the conservatory
We visited the New York Botanical Garden Conservatory.
conservatory = a greenhouse in which plants are arranged in a pleasing manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
defame
1 use
He threatened legal action if she continued to defame him in her articles.†
defame = to hurt someone's reputation through false statements
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
denounce
1 use
She denounced him as a liar.
denounced = strongly criticized or accused publicly
Definition
Generally denounce means:to strongly criticize or accuse publicly
or more rarely: to inform against someone (turn someone into the authorities)
or more rarely: to inform against someone (turn someone into the authorities)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
detestable
2 uses
I think Umbridge is the most detestable character in the Harry Potter books.
detestable = deserving intense dislike
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
discreet
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
discreet--not showy or gossipy
I leave my phone on silent mode, so it can alert me discreetly when I receive a text message.
discreetly = in a manner that is unlikely to attract attention
Definition
Generally this sense of discreet means:trustworthy with secrets and/or inconspicuous or unobtrusive
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
expound
1 use
You will be asked to expound on a teacher-selected topic from the book.
expound = discuss in detail
Definition
Generally expound means:explain or discuss in detail
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
filial
1 use
She tried to restrain her mother, so far as filial respect would allow.
filial = child-to-parent
Definition
Generally filial means:relating to the relationship of children to their parents
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
heresy
1 use
It is a hardline form of Sunni Islam that condemns all other strains as heresy.
heresy = something immoral
Definition
Generally heresy means:opinions or actions most people consider immoral
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
ignoble
1 use
There is something cowardly and ignoble in his attitude.
ignoble = completely lacking nobility in character, quality or purpose
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
lax
1 use
Lax safeguards contributed to the oil spill.
lax = relaxed; or lacking in strictness or strength
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
matrimony
1 use
They have moved in together, joined bank accounts, and are trying to have children, but have no interest in matrimony.
matrimony = marriage
Definition
Generally matrimony means:the state of being a married
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
nonchalant
1 use
I could tell she was nervous, but she was trying to look nonchalant.
nonchalant = calm and unconcerned
Definition
Generally nonchalant means:calm in manner — appearing unconcerned
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
prudent
1 use
She was promoted to manager because she is so prudent.
prudent = sensible and careful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
ravishing
1 use
was ravishing in her new dress
ravishing = stunningly attractive
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
remorse
2 uses
There was no sign of remorse until the police caught her.
remorse = deep regret for doing something that was wrong
Definition
Generally remorse means:a feeling of deep regret for doing something that was wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
reproach
1 use
She reproached him for being thoughtless and lazy.
reproached = criticized
Definition
Generally reproach means:a criticism; or to express criticism
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
supercilious
1 use
I have come to hate her supercilious smile.
supercilious = arrogant
Definition
Generally supercilious means:arrogant (acting as if better, more important, and superior in ideas than others)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
swindle
3 uses
She stole over a million dollars in her biggest swindle.
swindle = fraud (or deception) to steal money
Definition
Generally swindle means:tricking or cheating someone — usually to get money
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
taint
1 use
Authorities said the milk was tainted with rat poison.
tainted = spoiled or contaminated
Definition
Generally taint means:to spoil something so it is not desirable — as when bacteria contaminates a food; or as when a rumor makes people distrust a person
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |