apprehensive
13 uses
Harry watched apprehensively as the pavement seemed to rise up past the glass windows of the telephone box until darkness closed over their heads.
apprehensively = worried over possible misfortune
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
approach (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 5 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
approached the city
As the train slowed down in the approach to King's Cross, Harry thought he had never wanted to leave it less.†
approach = getting near
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 104 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
2 —1 use as in:
use the best approach
Snape, meanwhile, seemed to have decided to act as though Harry were invisible. ... In fact, compared to what he usually had to endure from Snape in the way of taunts and snide remarks, he found the new approach something of an improvement, and was pleased to find that when left well alone, he was able to concoct an Invigoration Draught quite easily.
approach = technique (way of doing something)
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:a way of doing something; or a route that leads to a particular place
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 29 |
austere
1 use
There were about fifty of them, all, as far as he could see, wearing plum-coloured robes with an elaborately worked silver 'W' on the left-hand side of the chest and all staring down their noses at him, some with very austere expressions, others looks of frank curiosity.
austere = 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 | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
centaur
76 uses
"Centaurs are not the servants or playthings of humans," said Firenze quietly.
centaurs = mythical beings that are half man and half horse
Definition
Generally centaur means:a mythical being that is half man and half horse
Word Statistics
| Book | 76 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
descend (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
descend the mountain
If he could just reach it — But as he stretched out a hand towards it, a centaur's hoof descended upon the wand and it broke cleanly in half.†
descended = came down
Definition
Generally this sense of descend means:move or slope downward
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 33 |
2 —1 use as in:
thieves descended upon us
Harry, Ron and Hermione had barely taken their seats when Neville, Dean, Fred, George and Ginny descended upon them.†
descended = came suddenly
Definition
Generally this sense of descend means:to come or arrive — especially suddenly or from above or as an attack
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
direct (4 meanings)
4 meanings, 30 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
depart directly
Again, he strode directly at the door facing him and pushed it open, his wand still raised, the others at his heels.†
directly = immediately
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:without delay, or in the quickest manner, or without going somewhere else first
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
2 —22 uses as in:
directly above; or buy direct from
Directly above them, framed in the doorway from the Brain Room, stood Albus Dumbledore, his wand aloft, his face white and furious.†
directly = close
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 | 22 uses |
| Library | 62 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
3 —3 uses as in:
was direct in my instructions
He was bound by the enchantments of his kind, which is to say that he could not disobey a direct order from his master, Sirius.†
direct = clear
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straightforward (uncomplicated or simple — perhaps also indicating openness and honesty)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
4 —1 use as in:
directed her question to
But too late; Snape had directed his wand straight at James; there was a flash of light and a gash appeared on the side of James's face, spattering his robes with blood.†
directed = aimed
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 28 |
discord
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
discord amongst the group
But then discord crept among us
discord = conflict and disagreement
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 |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
disparage
2 uses
"Oh, they only know flashy stuff that's of no real use to anyone," said Hermione disparagingly.
disparagingly = in a way to make it seem less important
Definition
Generally disparage means:to criticize or make seem less important — especially in a disrespectful or contemptuous manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
doleful
4 uses
He had short, bandy legs, long straggly ginger hair and bloodshot, baggy eyes that gave him the doleful look of a basset hound.
doleful = sad (full of sadness)
Definition
Generally doleful means:expressing or causing sadness
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
expulsion
40 uses
...did she imagine for a second that he did not regret his expulsion from the team a hundred times more than she did?
expulsion = being kicked off
Definition
Generally expulsion means:the act of forcing out
especially in 2 primary senses:
- kicking someone out of an organization — such as a school or country
- squeezing something to eliminate a liquid or gas
Word Statistics
| Book | 40 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
indignant
24 uses
"Hermione," said Ron in a low and indignant voice, "are you going to stop telling Harry off and listen to Binns, or...?"
indignant = annoyed (at something that is unjust or wrong)
Definition
Generally indignant means:angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 24 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
ominous
17 uses
the ominous sound of Snape's dungeon door creaking open
ominous = threatening (foreshadowing ill fortune)
Definition
Generally ominous means:threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come)
Word Statistics
| Book | 17 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
rectify
2 uses
You will be pleased to know, however, that these problems are now to be rectified.
rectified = fixed
Definition
Generally this sense of rectify means:correct, fix, or make right
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
relevant
3 uses
But, as the Ministry has no authority to punish Hogwarts students for misdemeanors at school, Harry's behavior there is not relevant to this hearing.
relevant = of interest (meaningfully related)
Definition
Generally relevant means:relating in a meaningful way to the issue in question
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
wallow
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
wallow in self-pity
Fools who wear their hearts proudly on their sleeves, who cannot control their emotions, who wallow in sad memories and allow themselves to be provoked so easily — weak people, in other words — they stand no chance against his powers!
wallow = indulge
Definition
Generally this sense of wallow means:to excessively give into a desire (indulge)
(This is often said of something negative such as self-pity when no attempt is made to move beyond it. But it is also sometimes said without connotation just to indicate that someone is enjoying a lot of something such as luxury or rest.)
(This is often said of something negative such as self-pity when no attempt is made to move beyond it. But it is also sometimes said without connotation just to indicate that someone is enjoying a lot of something such as luxury or rest.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |