apathy
7 uses
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 | 7 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 93-94 |
approach
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
use the best approach
Perhaps I just need to work harder, but I may need an entirely different approach to the problem.
approach = a way of doing something; or a route that leads to a particular place
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19-20 |
austere
3 uses
He took a vow of silence and leads an austere life at the monastery.
austere = lacking luxury (and stern)
Definition
Generally austere means:a notable absence of luxury, comfort, or decoration
or:
of a person: stern in manner; or practicing great self-denial
or:
of a person: stern in manner; or practicing great self-denial
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 97-98 |
benevolent
8 uses
They called themselves The Benevolent Association because their mission was to help others.
benevolent = kind, generous, or charitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11-12 |
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 113-114 |
clergy
10 uses
Under labor law, the clergy can be required to uphold the beliefs of the religion they have chosen.
clergy = formal religious leaders (typically in Christianity)
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 35-36 |
discern
4 uses
The second picture has more pixels, but the human eye can't discern the difference.
discern = to notice or understand something — often something that is not obvious
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 111-112 |
divine
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
to forgive is divine
Her pies are divine.
divine = wonderful
Definition
Generally this sense of divine means:wonderful; or god-like or coming from God
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
doleful
1 use
It was another year of a doleful Detroit economy.
doleful = very sad; or causing sadness or misfortune
Definition
Generally doleful means:expressing or causing sadness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 135-136 |
erudite
2 uses
She is an erudite professor.
erudite = having or showing deep scholarly knowledge
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 95-96 |
hypothesis
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a study to test her hypothesis
The study will test the hypothesis that a good marriage is more important than a higher income when measuring happiness.
hypothesis = a seemingly reasonable, but unproven, idea or explanation
Definition
Generally this sense of hypothesis means:seemingly reasonable, but unproven idea or explanation based upon known facts
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 21-22 |
niche
29 uses
She found her niche in the academic world.
niche = a role for which someone is especially well-suited
Definition
Generally niche means:a smaller market within a larger market — such as the market for scissors designed for people who are left-handed
or:
a role for which someone is especially well-suited
or:
a shallow recess, cranny or crevice
or:
a role for which someone is especially well-suited
or:
a shallow recess, cranny or crevice
Word Statistics
| Book | 29 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 61-62 |
piazza
72 uses
They filmed it at the Piazza Navona in Rome.
piazza = Italian term for a plaza (large open square created or defined by several buildings forming a perimeter enclosure)
Definition
Generally piazza means:architecture: Italian term for a plaza (large open square created or defined by several buildings forming a perimeter enclosure)
Word Statistics
| Book | 72 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 79-80 |
pious
4 uses
The cartoon with a drawing of Muhammad outraged many pious Muslims.
pious = highly religious
Definition
Generally pious means:behaving in a highly moral or religious manner
or less commonly: behaving highly moral in a self-righteous or holier-than-thou manner
or less commonly: behaving highly moral in a self-righteous or holier-than-thou manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11-12 |
prudent
6 uses
She was promoted to manager because she is so prudent.
prudent = sensible and careful
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 31-32 |
refute
1 use
The speaker refuted his opponent's arguments.
refuted = proved or argued that something is false
Definition
Generally refute means:to prove or argue that something is false
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 81-82 |
relevant
4 uses
It is easier to learn things that seem relevant to your life.
relevant = related in a meaningful way to the issue in question
Definition
Generally relevant means:relating in a meaningful way to the issue in question
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 35-36 |
specimen
27 uses
The museum holds over a million insect specimens.
specimens = examples regarded as typical of its class
Definition
Generally specimen means:a sample regarded as typical of its class; or a bit of tissue, blood, or urine that is taken for diagnostic purposes
Word Statistics
| Book | 27 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19-20 |
sultry
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a sultry voice
I was captivated by her soulful, sultry voice.
sultry = expressing or arousing sensual desire
Definition
Generally this sense of sultry means:expressing or arousing sensual desire — especially in reference to a woman's appearance or voice
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 137 |
transitory
1 use
Do not be concerned about mild, transitory symptoms.
transitory = lasting a short time
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 133-134 |