alacrity
1 use
She completed each assignment with alacrity.
alacrity = quickness; and/or cheerful eagerness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
apathy
1 use
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
audacious
2 uses
It was an audacious act of piracy.
audacious = bold and daring
Definition
Generally audacious means:bold and daring (inclined to take risks) — especially in violating social convention in a manner that could offend others
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
candid
1 use
Don't worry about my feelings. I'd like your candid opinion.
candid = honest and direct
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
confound
8 uses
She confounded her critics.
confounded = frustrated
Definition
Generally confound means:to confuse or cause to be unable to think clearly
or:
to refute or frustrate
or:
to refute or frustrate
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
despondent
2 uses
When her mother died, she was so despondent it was hard for her to get out of bed.
despondent = depressed
Definition
Generally despondent means:emotionally depressed — especially a feeling of grief and hopelessness after a loss
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
dubious
1 use
She was dubious, but agreed to come with us anyway.
dubious = doubtful; or suspicious; or full of uncertainty
Definition
Generally dubious means:doubtful — such as:
- uncertain that something can be relied upon
- uncertain about the quality or wisdom of something
- a relatively gentle way of saying that the quality of something described as good is in such doubt that it is considered bad
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
enigma
2 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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
immutable
1 use
It is one of the immutable laws of physics.
immutable = not subject or susceptible to change
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
innate
1 use
She has an innate musical talent that cannot be taught.
innate = present at birth
Definition
Generally innate means:of a quality: present at birth; or arising from within rather than having been learned or acquired
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
insidious
1 use
The debt grew insidiously—just a little at a time and always for a good purpose.
Alan Greenspan -- The Age of Turbulence
insidiously = in a manner not appearing dangerous, but actually very harmful over time
Definition
Generally insidious means:not appearing dangerous, but actually very harmful over time
or:
treacherous (dangerous due to trickery or from hidden or unpredictable risks)
or:
treacherous (dangerous due to trickery or from hidden or unpredictable risks)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
insipid
1 use
I don't care for the author. I think her novels are insipid.
insipid = dull (uninteresting and unimpactful)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
morose
1 use
She drank alone in the corner, looking morose.
morose = unhappy — often with a withdrawn personality
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
obscure (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
it obscured my view
The stars are obscured by the clouds.
obscured = hidden or made less visible
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:to block from view or make less visible or understandable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
2 —1 use as in:
knows the famous and the obscure
The obscure battle is hardly mentioned in history books.
obscure = not known to many people
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:not known to many people; or unimportant or undistinguished
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
obsequious
1 use
In the film, Pretty Woman, Julia Roberts character loved being served by obsequious sales clerks.
obsequious = excessively eager to flatter or serve
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
ostentatious
1 use
Although wealthy, the family is not ostentatious.
ostentatious = showy (trying to attract notice and impress others in a manner seen as in bad taste)
Definition
Generally ostentatious means:intended to attract notice and impress others — especially with wealth in a vulgar way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
precipitate
1 use
1 —1 use
adj as in: a precipitate decision
I had planned to ask her, but she made a precipitate departure.
precipitate = sudden
Definition
Generally this sense of precipitate means:acting with great haste — often without adequate thought
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
prudent
3 uses
She was promoted to manager because she is so prudent.
prudent = sensible and careful
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
sagacious
1 use
She is a smart and sagacious statesman.
sagacious = wise
Definition
Generally sagacious means:wise — especially through long experience and thoughtfulness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |