abrupt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an abrupt change
The bus came to an abrupt stop.
abrupt = sudden and unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
beckon
12 uses
I should be studying, but television beckons me.
beckons = calls (in this case by being desirable and inviting)
Definition
Generally beckon means:to summon (call to join) with a gesture, or to be desirable and inviting
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
bewilder
13 uses
Some of their customs can bewilder travelers.
bewilder = confuse
Definition
Generally bewilder means:to confuse someone
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 17 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
conjure
29 uses
She fears his black magic will conjure up evil spirits.
conjure = summon into action or bring into existence
Definition
Generally conjure means:summon into action or bring into existence — often as if by magic
Word Statistics
| Book | 29 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 32 |
contrary (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 7 uses
1 —6 uses as in:
on the contrary
She was not smiling. On the contrary, she frowned.
on the contrary = In opposition to what was just said
Definition
Generally this sense of on the contrary means:in opposition to what was just said
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
2 —1 use as in:
to the contrary
What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say to the contrary.
to the contrary = with an opposite or different effect
Definition
Generally this sense of to the contrary means:with an opposite or different effect; or something with an opposite or different effect
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 36 |
contrast (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
there is a contrast
The contrast in their leadership styles is striking. Olivia motivated people with fear. Isabella motivated them with praise.
contrast = notable difference
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:a difference — especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 30 |
2 —1 use as in:
it is a contrast
College is quite a contrast to high school.
contrast = something notably different
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:something noticeably different (compared to something else or to other things)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
curt
10 uses
Her response was so curt it was almost rude.
curt = brief to the point of rudeness
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
direct (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 12 uses
1 —6 uses as in:
directly above; or buy direct from
This flower does best in direct sunlight.
direct = without intervention from anything (in this case, not sun that is partially blocked or reflected)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straight (exactly where stated); or without involvement of anything in between
—including such senses as:
—including such senses as:
- straight (without varying from a straight line)
- exact (without other factors)
- close (with other factors minimized)
- personal (without other people in between)
- unobstructed (without anything in between)
- of a look: straight, steady, or focused—not a brief glance taken while generally looking at other things; not a sideways look
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 53 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 22 |
2 —1 use as in:
was direct in my instructions
I left them with direct instructions.
direct = straightforward
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straightforward (uncomplicated or simple — perhaps also indicating openness and honesty)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
3 —5 uses 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 cause movement or focus in a direction or towards an object — such as
- to aim a gun or comment at someone
- to point in a particular direction
- to focus attention on a particular object
- to guide or give directions to someone to help them move to a particular place
- to send someone to a particular place
- to steer a car, boat, etc.
- to send a letter to a particular person by putting a name and address on it
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 31 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
discord (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
discord amongst the group
There is too much discord in the team.
discord = conflict or disagreement — especially among those expected to cooperate
Definition
Generally this sense of discord means:conflict or disagreement — especially among those expected to cooperate
or (especially in the form "discordant"):
seeming different or wrong along with everything else
or (especially in the form "discordant"):
seeming different or wrong along with everything else
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 37 |
2 —1 use as in:
discordant music
She described the loud discordant music as a form of torture.
discordant = unpleasant sounding
Definition
Generally this sense of discord means:unpleasant sound — especially a combination of sounds that sound wrong together (though sometimes done intentionally in music)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
divine
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
divined from tea leaves
She claims she can divine the future with a crystal ball.
divine = to predict or discover something supernaturally (as if by magic)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 29 |
impartial
5 uses
An impartial judge is necessary for a fair trial.
impartial = without favoritism or bias
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
indignant
20 uses
She was indignant, but agreed to be searched when they accused her of shoplifting.
indignant = angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 20 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
interpret (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
interpret Spanish to English
Can she interpret Spanish to English for us?
interpret = translate
Definition
Generally this sense of interpret means:to translate words into spoken words of another language
(This word is especially used in place of translate when the translation is done real-time, or on-the-fly, or immediately as needed.)
(This word is especially used in place of translate when the translation is done real-time, or on-the-fly, or immediately as needed.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
2 —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 | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
stupefy
10 uses
The lawyer said his client was stupefied by the accusation.
stupefied = made unable to think
Definition
Generally stupefy means:make one unable to think
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |