accompany (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 5 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
accompany on the journey
The nurse accompanies the old woman everywhere.
accompanies = travels with
Definition
Generally this sense of accompany means:to travel along with
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 42-11 |
2 —2 uses as in:
illness and accompanying symptoms
We'll need to increase public transportation to address the congestion that accompanies higher population density.
accompanies = occurs at the same time (as a result of)
Definition
Generally this sense of accompany means:to be present with at the same time and/or location
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 43-03 |
appropriate
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
it is appropriate
These clothes aren't appropriate for work.
appropriate = suitable (fitting)
Definition
Generally this sense of appropriate means:suitable (fitting) for a particular situation
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 28 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 42-10 |
black market
7 uses
India's black market in kidneys arose in response to a combination of the shortage of the organs and extreme poverty amongst people who can survive with one of their two kidneys.
black market = the coming together of people who buy and sell things illegally
Definition
Generally black market means:an illegal market that trades in illegal goods, stolen goods, or goods sold illegally to avoid tax payments, licensing requirements, or rationing
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 42-11 |
compose (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
compose a poem
The assignment is to compose a poem.
compose = write
Definition
Generally this sense of compose means:to write or create something with care — especially music or a literary work, but could be other things as diverse as a plan or a letter
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 43-11 |
2 —1 use as in:
keep your composure
After I regained my composure, I thanked her for telling me about the problem.
composure = calm state of mind
(editor's note: The suffix "-ure" sometimes converts a verb that ends in an "s" sound to a related noun. This pattern is seen is words like pleasure, pressure, and exposure.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-ure" sometimes converts a verb that ends in an "s" sound to a related noun. This pattern is seen is words like pleasure, pressure, and exposure.)
Definition
Generally this sense of compose means:to calm someone or settle something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 42-09 |
confide
17 uses
She confided in me. I won't repeat what was said.
confided = placed trust (in someone) by talking about private things
Definition
Generally confide means:to place trust (in someone) by talking about private things or telling secrets
Word Statistics
| Book | 17 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 42-07 |
contradict
9 uses
Does the sentence contradict the main claim of the essay?
contradict = disagree with
Definition
Generally contradict means:disagree
in various senses, including:
- to say something is not true — as in "She contradicted his testimony."
- to say something else is true when both can't be true — as in "I don't believe her. She contradicted herself as she told us what happened."
- to be in conflict with — as in "Her assertions contradict accepted scientific principles."
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 44-07 |
correspond (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 10 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
corresponding by email
We correspond regularly via email.
correspond = write to each other
Definition
Generally this sense of correspond means:communicate by writing letters or email
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 43-03 |
2 —7 uses as in:
a correspondence course
She took a correspondence course while she was in prison.
correspondence = done from afar via written communication
Definition
Generally this sense of correspondence means:done from afar
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 42-10 |
3 —1 use as in:
foreign correspondent of the paper
Let's get a report from our correspondent in Mexico City.
correspondent = reporter
Definition
Generally this sense of correspondent means:a reporter — typically from a foreign country or with a particular expertise
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 44-06 |
critical
9 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
critical acclaim
The film is receiving critical acclaim.
critical = "Critical acclaim" is a common expression meaning praise from people whose job is to share expert judgement.
Definition
Generally this sense of critical means:relating to thoughtful judgement of what is good and bad about something — possibly from people whose job is to share their expert opinions in a given industry
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 44-03 |
unquizzed meaning —7 uses
direct
8 uses
1 —1 use as in:
directed her question to
The sprinkler head needs to be fixed so it directs water away from the house.
directs = aims
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:to indicate direction; or to cause movement or focus in a direction or towards an object
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "intentionally directed fire at unarmed civilians" — aimed a gun
- "directed the question to her" — aimed a question
- "directed her north" — pointed in a particular direction
- "directed attention to the 3rd paragraph" — focused attention on a particular object
- "The sound of her voice directed him to the kitchen." — guided or gave directions to someone to help them move to a particular place
- "She directed him to the airport." — gave directions to send someone to a particular place
- "She directed the boat north." — steered it
- "directed the letter to" — send a letter to a particular person by putting a name and address on it
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 36 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 44-07 |
unquizzed meaning —7 uses
disposition
5 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
a kind disposition
She has a cheerful disposition.
disposition = normal mood or typical way of behaving
Definition
Generally this sense of disposition means:someone's normal mood, personality, or typical way of behaving
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 42-06 |
Dutch
51 uses
The Dutch are famous for their tulips.
Dutch = the people of the Netherlands (including Holland)
Definition
Generally Dutch means:the people of the Netherlands (including Holland); or relating to them (including the name of their language)
Word Statistics
| Book | 51 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 44-03 |
engage
10 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
engage in conversation
She engaged in conduct that is a violation of the honor code.
engaged = was involved
Definition
Generally this sense of engage means:to interact in various ways — such as to participate, involve, interest, or attract
The exact meaning of this sense of engage depends upon its context. For example:
- "They engaged in debate." — participated
- "She engaged him in conversation." — involved
- "She is an engaging conversationalist." — interesting
- "She has an engaging smile." — attractive (attracting interest and interaction)
- "The proposal engages the interest of many young voters." — attracts and involves
- "She engages with her constituents." — interacts in a meaningful way
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 44-06 |
unquizzed meaning —8 uses
Holland
31 uses
For a long time, windmills were used in Holland to drain water that would otherwise have flooded regions beneath sea level.
Holland = Informal reference to The Netherlands (confusion arises because important provinces in The Netherlands are North Holland and South Holland)
Definition
Generally Holland means:Informal reference to The Netherlands (confusion arises because important provinces in The Netherlands are North Holland and South Holland).
Word Statistics
| Book | 31 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 42-06 |
illustrate
3 uses
1 —1 use as in:
as illustrated by this example
Pictures of flooding help to illustrate the problem of global warming.
illustrate = make clear
Definition
Generally this sense of illustrate means:to help make clear — typically by example
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 42-09 |
unquizzed meaning —2 uses
interpret
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
her interpretation of the data
I don't know how to interpret her smile.
interpret = understand (In this case: Why did she smile? What does it mean?)
Definition
Generally this sense of interpret means:to understand or explain something in a particular way — often the meaning or significance of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 44-08 |
objective
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an objective viewpoint
By any objective analysis, you would have to agree that...
objective = fact-based (not influenced by personal feelings or preferences)
Definition
Generally this sense of objective means:fact-based without the influence of personal feelings or preferences
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 44-03 |