aggravate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
she aggravates me
...he could really be aggravating sometimes.
aggravating = annoying (irritating)
Definition
Generally this sense of aggravate means:annoy or irritate
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
alternative
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
an alternative plan
[referring to the exam paper] Bring it here, please. It was a very dirty trick, but I went over and brought it over to him—I didn't have any alternative or anything.
alternative = other possibility
Definition
Generally this sense of alternative means:something available as another possibility
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
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annex
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
annex of the main building
She's waiting in the annex.
annex = an addition that extends a main building
Definition
Generally this sense of annex means:an addition that extends a main building
or:
to attach something — especially to something larger or more important
or:
to attach something — especially to something larger or more important
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
bourgeois
5 uses
...my suitcases, for instance. He kept saying they were too new and bourgeois.
bourgeois = represented middle class values
Definition
Generally bourgeois means:typical of the middle class or their values and habits - typically used disapprovingly
or (in Marxist theory):
typical of the property-owning class
or (in Marxist theory):
typical of the property-owning class
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
conscientious
1 use
Some of the faculty are pretty conscientious.
conscientious = characterized by extreme care and great effort
Definition
Generally conscientious means:careful to do what is right—especially to perform duties in a thorough manner (as when guided by conscience)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
digress
8 uses
The trouble with me is, I like it when somebody digresses. It's more interesting and all.
digresses = wanders off topic
Definition
Generally digress means:wander from a direct or straight course — typically verbally
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
falsetto
1 use
He started laughing in this very high falsetto voice.
falsetto = a male singing voice with artificially high tones (in an upper register)
Definition
Generally falsetto means:a male voice that is artificially high — usually while singing
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
harrowing
1 use
Apparently before he phoned me he'd just had a long, rather harrowing letter from your latest headmaster, to the effect that you were making absolutely no effort at all.
harrowing = unsettling
Definition
Generally this sense of harrowing means:frightening or unsettling
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
immaterial
1 use
"It's immaterial to me," she said.
immaterial = unimportant
Definition
Generally this sense of immaterial means:not important, or not relevant
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
incognito
3 uses
I'm traveling incognito,
incognito = with identity hidden
Definition
Generally incognito means:with identity hidden — such as via a disguise or false name
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
infirmary
2 uses
Old Mr. Antolini felt his pulse and all, and then he took off his coat and put it over James Castle and carried him all the way over to the infirmary.
infirmary = a small facility where patients receive treatment
Definition
Generally infirmary means:a small facility where patients receive treatment — such as a room or two at a school as contrasted to a busy hospital or medical clinic
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
matinée
4 uses
I'd made that date to go to a matinee with old Sally Hayes, and I needed to keep some dough for the tickets and stuff.
matinee = daytime performance
Definition
Generally matinée means:a daytime performance (of something like a movie or play)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
monotonous
2 uses
He started talking in this very monotonous voice,
monotonous = boring
Definition
Generally monotonous means:lacking in variety — typically boring
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
nonchalant
2 uses
I just got very cool and nonchalant.
nonchalant = calm and unconcerned
Definition
Generally nonchalant means:calm in manner — appearing unconcerned
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
pneumonia
6 uses
I thought probably I'd get pneumonia and die.
pneumonia = fluid in the lungs
Definition
Generally pneumonia means:respiratory disease characterized by inflammation and accumulation of fluid in the lungs; caused by infectious agents (e.g., viruses or bacteria) or by inhalation of certain irritants
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
putrid
2 uses
The band was putrid.
putrid = rotten or disgusting
Definition
Generally putrid means:rotting (an advanced state of decomposition) with a foul odor; or anything that is disgusting
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
qualms
2 uses
Do you have any particular qualms about leaving Pencey?
qualms = uneasiness
Definition
Generally qualms means:feelings of uneasiness — especially about whether it is right to do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
scrupulous
1 use
If you knew Stradlater, you'd have been worried, too. ... He was unscrupulous.
unscrupulous = unethical
(editor's note: 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.)
(editor's note: 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.)
Definition
Generally scrupulous means:careful to behave ethically and/or diligently (with great care and attention to detail)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
sheer
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
sheer fun
So when I told old Spencer I had to go to the gym and get my equipment and stuff, that was a sheer lie.
sheer = pure or complete
Definition
Generally this sense of sheer means:complete or pure — without restriction, qualification, or other elements (used for emphasis)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
spontaneous
1 use
It's this course where each boy in class has to get up in class and make a speech. You know. spontaneous and all.
spontaneous = without planning
Definition
Generally spontaneous means:behaving in an instinctive, uninhibited manner
or:
happening naturally (without planning or external force)
or:
happening naturally (without planning or external force)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |