abundant
2 uses
Her hair is of an agreeable brown, but not particularly abundant.
abundant = present in great quantity
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
amiable
1 use
I am sorry, Mrs. Hedda,—but I fear I must dispel an amiable illusion.
amiable = pleasant (friendly and kindly)
Definition
Generally amiable means:friendly, agreeable, and likable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
attain
1 use
] I thought that you, like every one else, expected him to attain the highest distinction.†
attain = gain or reach something with effort
Definition
Generally attain means:to gain or reach something with effort
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
audible
2 uses
[Almost inaudibly.]
inaudibly = not capable of being heard
(Editor's note: The prefix "in-" in inaudibly means not and reverses the meaning of audibly. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.)
(Editor's note: The prefix "in-" in inaudibly means not and reverses the meaning of audibly. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.)
Definition
Generally this sense of audible means:capable of being heard
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
consternation
1 use
[In consternation, drops the slippers on the floor.†
consternation = dismay (unhappiness, worry, and often confusion) — typically over something unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
covert
1 use
[looks at him with covert scorn.]
covert = hidden
Definition
Generally this sense of covert means:done in a secret or hidden way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
endure
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
endured the pain
I cannot endure the thought of that!
endure = suffer through (or put up with something difficult or unpleasant)
Definition
Generally this sense of endure means:to suffer through (or put up with something difficult or unpleasant)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 18 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
equivocal
1 use
[Laughing equivocally.]
equivocally = with meaning that is not clear
Definition
Generally equivocal means:unclear in meaning — especially where opposing interpretations are reasonable (sometimes intentionally)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
evade
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
evade the question
HEDDA: What sort of a man is your husband, Thea? I mean—you know—in everyday life. Is he kind to you?
MRS. ELVSTED: [Evasively.] I am sure he means well in everything.
MRS. ELVSTED: [Evasively.] I am sure he means well in everything.
evasively = in a manner that avoids directly answering a question
Definition
Generally this sense of evade means:to avoid or try to avoid either a responsibility or telling the whole truth
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 1 |
grave
1 use
She shall go to her grave looking her best.†
grave = serious and solemn
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
impetuous
1 use
[Rises impetuously.]
impetuously = impulsively (acting suddenly without much thought)
Definition
Generally this sense of impetuous means:impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) — often with an unfortunate consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
ingenuous
1 use
George Tesman is really an ingenuous creature,
ingenuous = lacking in sophistication or worldliness
Definition
Generally ingenuous means:innocent as in lacking in sophistication or worldliness — especially in being direct and not masking feelings
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
interpose
1 use
[Interposing.†
interposing = to insert between other elements; or to interrupt or stop action by others
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
loathe
2 uses
I loathe all sorts of ugliness.
loathe = hate
Definition
Generally loathe means:hate, detest, or intensely dislike
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
ludicrous
2 uses
So utterly ludicrous!
ludicrous = absurd in an amusing way
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 2 |
moreover
1 use
And moreover a mighty huntress—of men—Mrs. Hedda.†
moreover = in addition to what has just been said
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
mortal
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
felt mortal agony
Oh, I was in such mortal terror!
mortal = extreme or intense
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
recollect
1 use
Try to recollect.†
recollect = remember
Definition
Generally recollect means:to remember — especially experiences from long ago
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Act 4 |
spontaneous
2 uses
a deed of spontaneous beauty
spontaneous = happening or arising without plan
Definition
Generally spontaneous means:behaving in an instinctive, uninhibited manner
or:
happening naturally (without planning or external force)
or:
happening naturally (without planning or external force)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Act 3 |
superfluous
1 use
How superfluous, how intrusive, he would be, if he were to force his way...
superfluous = more than is needed, desired, or required
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Act 3 |