beckon
1 use
I should be studying, but television beckons me.
beckons = calls (in this case by being desirable and inviting)
Definition
Generally beckon means:to call — typically to ask or tell someone to come nearer by using a hand gesture or a nod of the head
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
bewilder
1 use
Some of their customs can bewilder travelers.
bewilder = confuse
Definition
Generally bewilder means:to confuse someone
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 17 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
collide
1 use
The cars collided and burst into flame.
collided = crashed together with violent impact
Definition
Generally collide means:crash together with violent impact; or come into conflict
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 25 |
content
1 use
She grew more contented with age.
contented = satisfied
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 54 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |
delectable
1 use
The cake is delicious, scrumptious and delectable.
delectable = extremely pleasing — especially to the sense of taste or to the eye
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
despise
1 use
She despises the people he has to work for.
despises = dislikes strongly and looks down upon
Definition
Generally despise means:to dislike strongly and to look down upon with disrespect
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
dumfounded
1 use
She was beyond surprised. She was dumbfounded.
dumbfounded = too surprised to know what to say or do
Definition
Generally dumfounded means:very surprised - often too surprised to know what to say or do
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
hoard
1 use
They found a 7th century hoard of treasure.
hoard = a collection of valuable things
Definition
Generally hoard means:to gather something valuable and store it; or a collection of such things
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
hypnotize
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
hypnotized by her performance
When I look into her eyes, I feel hypnotized.
hypnotized = fascinated so much that awareness of other surrounding things is lost or too much trust is granted
Definition
Generally this sense of hypnotize means:fascinate so much that awareness of other surrounding things is lost or too much trust is granted
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |
luminous
1 use
The sky was luminous with stars.
luminous = shining
Definition
Generally luminous means:glowing or shining
(also used metaphorically to describe beauty or intelligence)
(also used metaphorically to describe beauty or intelligence)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 25 |
luscious
3 uses
a bowl of luscious-looking peaches
luscious = very desirable
Definition
Generally luscious means:very desirable
in various senses, including:
- delicious — especially sweet and juicy — as in "a luscious peach"
- pleasing or delightful — as in "the luscious scenery"
- sexually appealing — as in "Can you introduce me to that luscious woman in the skimpy bikini?"
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
meddle
1 use
She's always meddling in other people's business.
meddling = interfering (getting involved where not wanted)
Definition
Generally meddle means:interfere (in another's affairs or business); or handle (something that shouldn't be handled)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
mischievous
1 use
She flashed a mischievous grin and threw the water balloon.
mischievous = playful — often in an annoying or naughty way
Definition
Generally mischievous means:playfully causing minor trouble; or describing the smile of someone doing so
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
mystic
1 use
She is a mystic who believes enlightenment will come from communing with nature.
mystic = someone who attempts to tune into realities beyond scientific understanding
Definition
Generally mystic means:relating to realities that are outside of scientific understanding and normal experience; or one who attempts to tune into such realities
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
obstinate
1 use
She is an obstinate child who will not follow the family rules.
obstinate = stubbornly not doing what others want
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
pander
1 use
Don't pander me.
pander = pretend to agree with
Definition
Generally pander means:to pretend to agree with someone to make them happy
or:
to or help fulfill the wishes of another while thinking those wishes are not for the best
or:
to or help fulfill the wishes of another while thinking those wishes are not for the best
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
perplex
1 use
She was perplexed by the rules of the game.
perplexed = confused
Definition
Generally perplex means:to confuse
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
postscript
1 use
PS: Bob just walked through and says hello.
PS = an abbreviation for "postscript" that is placed at the end of a letter (after the signature) to indicate that an additional note follows
Definition
Generally postscript means:a note added to the end of a letter after the signature — usually preceded with "PS:" or "P.S."
or:
any written or spoken addition added after the end of something
or:
any written or spoken addition added after the end of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |
stationery
1 use
It was a form-letter, but written on the President's stationery with a White House return address.
stationery = paper and envelopes for writing letters
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
utter
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
utter stupidity
She suffered utter devastation when her child died in the accident.
utter = complete
Definition
Generally this sense of utter means:complete or total (used as an intensifier—typically when stressing how bad something is)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 26 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |