accord
3 uses
1 —3 uses 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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
accumulate
4 uses
Greenhouse gas continues to accumulate in the atmosphere.
accumulate = gradually increase
Definition
Generally accumulate means:to collect or gradually increase
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
acquit
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
she acquitted herself well
Although they did not win, the team acquitted itself well and we were proud to have them represent us.
acquitted = handled (itself in a specified way)
Definition
Generally this sense of acquit means:to handle oneself in a specified way — which is typically in a positive way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
appalling
7 uses
The live in appalling conditions.
appalling = shockingly terrible or horrible
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
bestow
5 uses
They gave her the highest honor they can bestow.
bestow = give (as an honor)
Definition
Generally bestow means:to give — typically to present as an honor or give as a gift
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
condescending
2 uses
She gave me that condescending look as though I wasn't worthy to ask her a question.
condescending = treating others as inferior
Definition
Generally condescending means:treating others as inferior; or doing something considered beneath one's position or dignity
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
consequence
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
of little consequence
Think carefully. This is a consequential decision.
consequential = important
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:importance or relevance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
convention
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
conventional behavior
It was once conventional wisdom that the earth is flat.
conventional = normal
Definition
Generally this sense of convention means:something regarded as normal or typical
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
defer
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
deferred the decision
The weather forced us to defer our departure another day.
defer = delay
Definition
Generally this sense of defer means:delay or postpone (hold off until a later time)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
deference
3 uses
They changed their strategy in deference to the President's wishes.
deference = respect
Definition
Generally deference means:polite respect — often when submitting to another's wishes
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
detestable
4 uses
I think Umbridge is the most detestable character in the Harry Potter books.
detestable = deserving intense dislike
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
discriminate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
discriminating taste
It costs more, but is worth it to people with discriminating taste.
discriminating = recognizing fine distinctions
Definition
Generally this sense of discriminate means:to recognize or perceive differences — especially fine distinctions
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
malicious
2 uses
I am not interested in hearing malicious gossip.
malicious = evil; or made with the intent to make others suffer
Definition
Generally malicious means:wanting to see others suffer; or threatening evil
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
mitigate
2 uses
Don't judge her so harshly until you consider the mitigating circumstances.
mitigating = serving to make less harmful or unpleasant
Definition
Generally mitigate means:make less harmful or unpleasant
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
moreover
3 uses
The company has too much debt. Moreover, it is responsible for a long term lease on expensive office space.
moreover = in addition to what has just been said
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
presumption
16 uses
1 —16 uses as in:
presumption of innocence
I presumed she was an expert since she spoke so confidently.
presumed = assumed
Definition
Generally this sense of presumption means:to think of something as true or likely, even though it is not known with certainty
Word Statistics
| Book | 16 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
recollect
3 uses
I think I recollect that she was away at college that year.
recollect = remember
Definition
Generally recollect means:to remember — especially experiences from long ago
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
Shakespeare
20 uses
As Shakespeare said, "The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose."
Shakespeare = author widely regarded as the greatest in the English language and whose works include Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet
Definition
Generally this sense of Shakespeare means:English dramatist and poet frequently cited as the greatest writer in the English language and who wrote such works as Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet (1564-1616)
Word Statistics
| Book | 20 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
superficial
3 uses
She has only superficial knowledge on the subject.
superficial = shallow
Definition
Generally superficial means:relating to a surface rather than to anything deep or penetrating (often of injuries or thinking)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
tact
2 uses
She has the tact of a politician or diplomat.
tact = the ability and tendency to say or handle things in such a way that others feel good about them
Definition
Generally tact means:the ability or act of saying or handling things in such a way that others feel good about them
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |