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 |
accompany
1 use
1 —1 use 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 | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 36 |
alternative
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
an alternative plan
Let's think of at least three alternatives before we decide what to do.
alternatives = possibilities
Definition
Generally this sense of alternative means:something available as another possibility
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
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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 call — typically to ask or tell someone to come nearer by using a hand gesture or a nod of the head
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 13 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 | 11 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 = an expression used to intensify denial of an idea
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 5 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 | 8 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 compared to
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 |
correspond (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —1 use 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 | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 30 |
2 —3 uses 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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
curt
10 uses
Her response was so curt it was almost rude.
curt = brief (using few words)
Definition
Generally curt means:brief to the point of rudeness
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 7 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
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "The road runs directly to Las Vegas." — straight (without varying from a straight line)
- "It was a direct hit." — exact
- "The plant is in direct sunlight." — unobstructed (without anything in between)
- "She wants a direct meeting with him." — personal (without other people in between)
- "She paid direct attention to what he was reading." — close
- "a direct gaze" — 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 | 62 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 | 13 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 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 | 5 uses |
| Library | 36 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
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 | 9 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 | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
tentative
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
said it tentatively
The puppy approached us tentatively until it knew we wouldn't harm it.
tentatively = in a careful way (indicating a lack of confidence)
Definition
Generally this sense of tentative means:done in a careful or unsure way (indicating a lack of confidence in exactly what will happen)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |