accord
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
done of her own accord
She was not forced. She did it of her own accord.
own accord = own mind — voluntarily (without anyone asking)
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:mind
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
attain
2 uses
She was the first woman to attain the rank of general.
attain = gain or reach something with effort
Definition
Generally attain means:to gain or reach something with effort
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 500 |
burnish
1 use
burnished bronze
burnished = polished
Definition
Generally burnish means:polish and make shiny — especially metal
or more generally: to improve something — especially the impression that something makes
or more generally: to improve something — especially the impression that something makes
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
congregate
1 use
The planned demonstration never materialized because a heavy presence of police and soldiers made it impossible for protesters to congregate.
congregate = gather together
Definition
Generally congregate means:come together as a group
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
conscientious
1 use
She is conscientious in the lab.
conscientious = careful and thorough
Definition
Generally conscientious means:careful to do what is right—especially to perform duties in a thorough manner (as when guided by conscience)
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
contempt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
feels contempt towards her
Familiarity breeds contempt.
contempt = lack of respect
Definition
Generally this sense of contempt means:lack of respect for someone or something thought inferior — often accompanied by a feeling of dislike or disgust
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
devise
2 uses
She plans to devise something to launch water balloons.
devise = come up with (invent or create)
Definition
Generally this sense of devise means:to come up with a way of doing something — typically a creative idea or plan
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 500 |
disperse
1 use
The crowd dispersed.
dispersed = scattered (moved away from one another)
Definition
Generally this sense of disperse means:to scatter or cause to spread
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
endure
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
endured the pain
I endured insult and injury without complaint.
endured = suffered through
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 |
gaunt
1 use
She looked gaunt from the chemotherapy.
gaunt = very thin
Definition
Generally gaunt means:very thin and bony — often from hunger or as though having been worn to the bone
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
humiliate
2 uses
She felt humiliated by his public insults.
humiliated = extremely embarrassed (feeling decreased dignity)
Definition
Generally humiliate means:extremely embarrass (decrease dignity, self-respect, or pride — especially in front of others)
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
immune
1 use
People are immune if they've had the virus previously or been vaccinated.
immune = not in danger (from something)
Definition
Generally immune means:not in danger of being affected by something — especially a disease
or:
relating to disease resistance
or:
relating to disease resistance
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 2000 |
interminable
1 use
Her speech was interminable.
interminable = seemingly endless (and probably boring)
Definition
Generally interminable means:seemingly endless; or long and unpleasant (often boring or annoying)
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
perceptible
2 uses
The car makes a barely perceptible clicking sound at high speeds.
perceptible = capable of being noticed
Definition
Generally perceptible means:capable of being noticed — typically because it is different enough or large enough
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
phosphorescence
6 uses
She loves to swim in the ocean on nights when phosphorescence shines in her wake.
phosphorescence = a dim glowing light
Definition
Generally phosphorescence means:a dim glowing light
or more technically: a fluorescence (dim light) created by a chemical reaction within a living organism; or a dim light that continues to shine from something after the bombarding radiation (stronger light that fell upon it) has ceased
or more technically: a fluorescence (dim light) created by a chemical reaction within a living organism; or a dim light that continues to shine from something after the bombarding radiation (stronger light that fell upon it) has ceased
Word Statistics
Book | 6 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
precede
1 use
Stone tools preceded bronze tools.
preceded = were before in time
Definition
Generally precede means:to go or do before
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 100 |
resolution
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
Her resolution weakened.
She ran each mile of the marathon with increasing resolution.
resolution = determination
Definition
Generally this sense of resolution means:determination (firmness of purpose)
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 500 |
sever
2 uses
She severed an artery.
severed = cut all the way through
Definition
Generally sever means:to split something into two unconnected parts — usually by cutting
or:
to break up or end a relationship; or to separate from something
or:
to break up or end a relationship; or to separate from something
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
species
1 use
It is an endangered species.
species = a group of similar animals or plants
Definition
Generally species means:a group of animals or plants that are similar — typically identified as a group because they can procreate together (reproduce new members of the group)
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 2000 |
treachery
3 uses
Benedict Arnold remains the U.S.'s symbol of ultimate treachery.
treachery = betrayal
Definition
Generally treachery means:the behavior of someone who pretends to be a friend and then tricks, cheats, or betrays
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |