audacious
11 uses
It was an audacious act of piracy.
audacious = bold and daring
Definition
Generally audacious means:bold and daring (inclined to take risks) — especially in violating social convention in a manner that could offend others
Word Statistics
Book | 11 uses |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.3.1 |
austere
7 uses
He took a vow of silence and leads an austere life at the monastery.
austere = lacking luxury (and 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 | 7 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 1.4.2 |
bourgeois
52 uses
Our lifestyle upsets their bourgeois sensibilities.
bourgeois = typical middle class
Definition
Generally bourgeois means:typical of the middle class or their values and habits - typically used disapprovingly
or (in Marxist theory):
typical of the property-owning class
or (in Marxist theory):
typical of the property-owning class
Word Statistics
Book | 52 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.2.6 |
capricious
12 uses
Nothing seems more capricious than a tornado.
capricious = unpredictable
Definition
Generally capricious means:impulsive or unpredictable or tending to make sudden changes — especially impulsive behavior
Word Statistics
Book | 12 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.9.5 |
descend
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
descend the mountain
We saw the rocket descend.
descend = move downward
Definition
Generally this sense of descend means:move or slope downward
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.7.8 |
discord
1 use
1 —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 |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 1.2.3 |
disdain
17 uses
She tries to be polite, but cannot hide her disdain for authority.
disdain = lack of respect
Definition
Generally disdain means:a lack of respect — often suggesting distaste and an undeserved sense of superiority
or:
to reject as not good enough
or:
to reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
Book | 17 uses |
Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 500 |
1st use | Chapter 2.7.6 |
dissemble
1 use
After the primaries, she will dissemble her past statements to appear more moderate in her beliefs.
dissemble = be deceptive about
Definition
Generally dissemble means:hide or disguise the truth without outright lying
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.10.5 |
eclectic
1 use
The home is furnished with a tasteful and eclectic collection of furniture.
eclectic = a distinctive mix of styles
Definition
Generally eclectic means:a distinctive mix of styles or ideas selected from various sources
or:
one who selects a distinctive mix of styles or ideas rather than adopting a common set from a single source
or:
one who selects a distinctive mix of styles or ideas rather than adopting a common set from a single source
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.1.3 |
edifice
98 uses
The corporation was housed in an imposing edifice.
edifice = a building — especially a large one
Definition
Generally edifice means:a building — especially a large one
or:
a conceptual or organizational framework
or:
a conceptual or organizational framework
Word Statistics
Book | 98 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.2.2 |
impetuous
4 uses
She regretted her impetuous promise.
impetuous = impulsive (made 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 | 4 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.1.2 |
incessant
29 uses
She grew annoyed by the child's incessant questions.
incessant = continuous
Definition
Generally incessant means:continuous — often in an annoying way
Word Statistics
Book | 29 uses |
Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.1.1 |
Monsieur
152 uses
Monsieur and Madame Curie studied radium.
Monsieur = Mr. (in French)
Definition
Generally this sense of Monsieur means:French equivalent to the English Mr.
or:
French equivalent to saying sir in English (a polite way to address a male)
or:
French equivalent to saying sir in English (a polite way to address a male)
Word Statistics
Book | 152 uses |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.1.1 |
pious
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a good, pious woman
The cartoon with a drawing of Muhammad outraged many pious Muslims.
pious = highly religious
Definition
Generally this sense of pious means:religious or highly moral
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 2.9.4 |
recluse
52 uses
He became a recluse after his wife passed away.
recluse = someone withdrawn from society (living alone and avoiding contact with others)
Definition
Generally recluse means:someone withdrawn from society (living alone and avoiding contact)
Word Statistics
Book | 52 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.6.2 |
sagacious
4 uses
She is a smart and sagacious statesman.
sagacious = wise
Definition
Generally sagacious means:wise — especially through long experience and thoughtfulness
Word Statistics
Book | 4 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.7.2 |
succession
10 uses
1 —10 uses as in:
a succession of events
She survived a succession of catastrophes.
succession = series (one after the other)
Definition
Generally this sense of succession means:series or sequence (one after another)
Word Statistics
Book | 10 uses |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.1.5 |
venerate
2 uses
Most contemporary Hindus do not actually worship the cow; though many venerate her.
venerate = regard with feelings of respect and reverence
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.7.2 |
yield (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 6 uses
1 —1 use as in:
will yield valuable data
The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.
yield = produce (lead to)
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 100 |
1st use | Chapter 1.2.4 |
2 —5 uses as in:
yield to pressure
The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.
yield = give in
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to give in, give way, or give up
Word Statistics
Book | 5 uses |
Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.2.6 |