amiable
1 use
She seemed an ideal candidate—attractive, amiable, intelligent and energetic.
amiable = friendly and likable
Definition
Generally amiable means:friendly, agreeable, and likable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 36 |
anarchy
2 uses
It's not the government I want, but it's better than anarchy.
anarchy = the complete absence of political authority
Definition
Generally anarchy means:the complete absence of political authority; or more generally, complete absence of order
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
brusque
1 use
She is known for her brusque manner and brief meetings.
brusque = abrupt (not taking the time to be friendly)
Definition
Generally brusque means:abrupt (sudden and quick — without taking the time to be friendly)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 42 |
contrite
2 uses
She apologized, but didn't seem genuinely contrite.
contrite = sorry
Definition
Generally contrite means:feeling sorrow or regret for a fault or offense
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |
denounce
1 use
She denounced him as a liar.
denounced = strongly criticized or accused publicly
Definition
Generally denounce means:to strongly criticize or accuse publicly
or more rarely: to inform against someone (turn someone into the authorities)
or more rarely: to inform against someone (turn someone into the authorities)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 42 |
desist
1 use
The Federal Trade Commission ordered the company to cease-and-desist from making such claims.
desist = to not do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 43 |
distend
1 use
One method of declawing is to severe the tendon that allows the claws to distend.
distend = extend
Definition
Generally distend means:to extend — especially the swelling outward of a part of the body; e.g., the stomach
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
duplicity
1 use
I trust her. Duplicity isn't in her nature or her tool kit.
duplicity = deception
Definition
Generally duplicity means:deception (lying to or misleading others) — usually over an extended period
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
elated
1 use
I felt elated the first day of summer break.
elated = happy and excited
Definition
Generally elated means:full of happiness and excitement
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 43 |
flaccid
1 use
His flaccid handshake, didn't fill me with confidence.
flaccid = lacking firmness or strength
Definition
Generally flaccid means:lacking in firmness or strength
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
focus
3 uses
1 —1 use as in:
Turn your focus to question #2.
I find that studying in the library helps me to focus.
focus = concentrate
Definition
Generally this sense of focus means:verb: to concentrate, look at, or pay attention to
noun: the act of concentration, or the ability to concentrate
(to concentrate is to direct attention or effort towards a single thing)
noun: the act of concentration, or the ability to concentrate
(to concentrate is to direct attention or effort towards a single thing)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 75 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 42 |
unquizzed meaning —2 uses
grave
4 uses
Her smile disappeared as she suddenly realized the gravity of her situation.
gravity = seriousness or importance (weightiness)
Definition
Generally this sense of grave means:serious and/or solemn
The exact meaning of this sense of grave can depend upon its context. For example:
- "This is a grave problem," or "a situation of the utmost gravity." — important, dangerous, or causing worry
- "She was in a grave mood upon returning from the funeral." — sad or solemn
- "She looked me in the eye and gravely promised." — in a sincere and serious manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
heresy
2 uses
It is a hardline form of Sunni Islam that condemns all other strains as heresy.
heresy = something immoral
Definition
Generally heresy means:opinions or actions most people consider immoral
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
however (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 3 uses
1 —1 use as in:
However, complications may...
Most college application deadlines are in January and February. However, early admission deadlines are around November and some scholarships require even earlier deadlines.
however = despite that (a transition word use to connect contrasting ideas)
Definition
Generally this sense of however means:though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas)
(Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that,, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrastand but.)
(Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that,
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 61 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 42 |
2 —1 use as in:
However much she tried...
However hard he tried, he couldn't do it.
however = no matter how
Definition
Generally this sense of however means:to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 23 |
3 —1 use as in:
However you do it, get it done!
However we do it, someone is going to be unhappy.
however = in whatever way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 43 |
impede
1 use
She is impeding the progress of our project
impeding = slowing or preventing
Definition
Generally impede means:create difficulty so as to slow or prevent (something)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 42 |
infamous
1 use
He is one of Chicago's most infamous mobsters.
infamous = famous (for something bad)
Definition
Generally infamous means:having an exceedingly bad reputation
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
petulant
1 use
She stomped her foot like a petulant child.
petulant = unreasonably annoyed or upset
Definition
Generally petulant means:unreasonably annoyed or upset
or:
easily annoyed or upset
or:
easily annoyed or upset
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
precocious
1 use
She was a precocious child who always pointed to logical flaws in her parents' rules.
precocious = having intelligence and behavior not usually seen in one so young
Definition
Generally precocious means:early development — especially ability or maturity in a child
or more rarely:
disapproving description of a child who takes liberties usually afforded to people who are older
or more rarely:
disapproving description of a child who takes liberties usually afforded to people who are older
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |