aesthetic
6 uses
It was not aesthetically pleasing.
aesthetically = in a manner that is beautiful or tasteful
Definition
Generally aesthetic means:related to beauty or good taste — often referring to one's appreciation of beauty or one's sense of what is beautiful
or:
beautiful or tasteful
or:
beautiful or tasteful
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
affectation
2 uses
She is comfortable in her own skin and meets strangers without affectation.
affectation = behaving in an artificial way to make an impression
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
ascetic
3 uses
The ascetic life has been more pronounced in Hinduism and Buddhism than in other major religions.
ascetic = the practice of self-denial
Definition
Generally ascetic means:someone who practices self-denial (often to encourage spiritual growth); or relating to such self-denial
or:
severely plain (without decoration)
or:
severely plain (without decoration)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | A.N. |
austere
2 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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
Big Brother
1 use
Be careful. Big Brother is watching.
Big Brother = a person or organization that attempts to exercise total control over people and that invades their privacy to do so
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
brash
3 uses
A brash newcomer wants to change the way the club operates.
brash = bold or self-confident in a manner that seems disrespectful
Definition
Generally this sense of brash means:bold or self-confident in a manner that seems disrespectful or tasteless
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
castigate
3 uses
She praises and castigates without hesitation.
castigates = criticizes severely
Definition
Generally castigate means:to criticize severely
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
conjecture
2 uses
She dismissed it as mere conjecture.
conjecture = a conclusion or opinion based on inconclusive evidence
Definition
Generally conjecture means:a conclusion or opinion based on inconclusive evidence; or the act of forming of such a conclusion or opinion
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
enigma
3 uses
As Churchill said about Russia, it is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.
enigma = something mysterious that seems unexplainable
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
ephemeral
1 use
Her fame was ephemeral.
ephemeral = existing only for a short time
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
forage
4 uses
forage for firewood
forage = searched for and gathered
Definition
Generally forage means:to search for and gather — often food and provisions
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
gregarious
2 uses
She's gregarious by nature and loves parties.
gregarious = inclined to seek and enjoy the company of others
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
malevolent
2 uses
She tells vicious lies and spreads malevolent rumors.
malevolent = evil
Definition
Generally malevolent means:evil:
- of a person: wishing or appearing to wish evil to others
- of a thing: exerting an evil or harmful influence
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
paucity
1 use
The party had plenty of people, but a paucity of passion.
paucity = an insufficient quantity or number
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
positive (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
I'm absolutely positive!
I'm positive I've seen her before.
positive = certain
Definition
Generally this sense of positive means:certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 18 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
2 —1 use as in:
had a positive effect
Lower interest rates positively affected home sales.
positively = in a good or beneficial manner
Definition
Generally this sense of positive means:good or beneficial
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
scrupulous
2 uses
You can count on her. She is scrupulous in her work.
scrupulous = careful to behave ethically and/or diligently
Definition
Generally scrupulous means:careful to behave ethically and/or diligently (with great care and attention to detail)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
sustain (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
sustained by her faith
We sustained ourselves on bread and water.
sustained = supported
Definition
Generally this sense of sustain means:provide support or necessities
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
2 —1 use as in:
sustained through the ages
For twenty years, the company has sustained its leading position in creating special effects for films.
sustained = continued through time
Definition
Generally this sense of sustain means:to continue through time
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
zeal
2 uses
She attacks each challenge with zeal.
zeal = active interest and enthusiasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |