accord
12 uses
1 —12 uses as in:
according to, or in accord with
She will get a fair trial in accordance with the law.
accordance = keeping
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:in keeping with; or in agreement/harmony/unity with
This sense of accord is often seen in the form according to or accordingly where it can take on more specific meanings. For example:
- "According to Kim, ..." — as stated by
- "To each according to her ability." — based upon
- "Points are scored according to how well they perform." — depending upon
- "The dose is calculated according to body weight." — in proportion to
- "We got a flat tire. Accordingly, I pulled to the side of the road." — because of what was just said; or as a result
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 53 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Ded. |
approach
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
approached the city
Winter is approaching.
approaching = getting nearer
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 104 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
brigand
24 uses
The road is not safe because of roving brigands.†
brigands = armed thieves — especially members of a band that reside in the countryside
Definition
Generally brigand means:an armed thief — especially a member of a band that resides in the countryside
Word Statistics
| Book | 24 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
capricious
1 use
Nothing seems more capricious than a tornado.
capricious = unpredictable
Definition
Generally capricious means:impulsive or unpredictable or tending to make sudden changes — especially impulsive behavior
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
conciliatory
1 use
Their statements are conciliatory, but their actions are uncompromising.
conciliatory = intended to end bad feelings or build trust
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
consequence
7 uses
1 —7 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 | 7 uses |
| Library | 28 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
convention
9 uses
1 —9 uses as in:
conventional behavior
It was once conventional wisdom that the earth is flat.
conventional = normal
Definition
Generally this sense of convention means:something regarded as normal or typical
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Ded. |
disclaim
1 use
We disclaim any responsibility for the accident.
disclaim = deny
Definition
Generally disclaim means:to deny (responsibility for, knowledge of, or ownership of)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Ded. |
earnest
14 uses
I began training in earnest the summer before high school.
in earnest = in a serious manner
Definition
Generally earnest means:characterized by sincere belief
or:
intensely or excessively serious
or:
intensely or excessively serious
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 19 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
essential
1 use
The essential feature of the pen is that it writes so consistently.
essential = absolutely necessary; or of greatest importance
Definition
Generally essential means:necessary or important or relating to the basic nature of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 24 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
hypocrisy
9 uses
It's not clear if she is guilty of moral hypocrisy or moral weakness.
hypocrisy = pretending to have moral standards while not living up to them
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
indignant
17 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 | 17 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
irony
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
situational irony
She didn't see the irony in acting like the mother she detested.
irony = when what happens is very different than what might be expected
Definition
Generally this sense of irony means:when what happens is very different than what might be expected; or when things are together that seem like they don't belong together — especially when amusing or an entertaining coincidence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
Mozart
13 uses
She loves the 21st piano concerto by Mozart.
Mozart = prolific Austrian composer and child prodigy; widely considered to be one of the masters of the classical style (1756-1791)
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Ded. |
novel
1 use
We're looking for novel marketing 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 | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
positive
5 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
I'm absolutely positive!
I'm positive I've seen her before.
positive = certain
Definition
Generally this sense of positive means:certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
prejudice
10 uses
The group works to eliminate racial prejudice.
prejudice = unreasonable and unfair belief or feeling
Definition
Generally prejudice means:to have unreasonable belief that is unfair to members of a race, religion, or other group
or more generally:
to have (or create in others) an unreasonable belief that prevents objective (unbiased) consideration of an issue or situation
or more generally:
to have (or create in others) an unreasonable belief that prevents objective (unbiased) consideration of an issue or situation
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
prosaic
6 uses
It was a prosaic and unimaginative essay.
prosaic = lacking anything unusual, interesting, or challenging
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
reticent
1 use
She was reticent initially, but eventually she opened up.
reticent = reluctant to speak
Definition
Generally reticent means:reluctant — especially to speak freely
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
revere
2 uses
Many fans revere Michael Jordan as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
revere = deeply respect and admire
Definition
Generally revere means:regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration — sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |