appropriate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
appropriate from their culture
But his house was large enough that she could have appropriated an entire wing for herself if she wanted it.
appropriated = taken
Definition
Generally this sense of appropriate means:to take without asking — often without right
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
arrogant
6 uses
And though you might think I'm arrogant enough to engage in criminal acts with a prosecuting attorney on my board of directors, you should know I'm not stupid enough to do so.
arrogant = having an excessive sense of superiority
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
contract
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
legal contract
I might have a shot at a recording contract.
contract = a formal legal agreement (in this case, to record music for a company)
Definition
Generally this sense of contract means:an agreement - typically written and enforceable by law
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
discretion (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 3 uses
1 —1 use as in:
It is within her discretion.
Counsel reserves the right to terminate at her discretion.
discretion = the authority to make a decision
Definition
Generally this sense of discretion means:the right to make a decision (and perhaps accompanying good judgment)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
2 —1 use as in:
embarrassing lack of discretion
I'd be willing to compensate you for your time and your discretion.
discretion = behavior that does not attract attention or reveal private information
Definition
Generally this sense of discretion means:behavior that does not attract undesired attention or reveal private information
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
3 —1 use as in:
Parental discretion advised.
Tell me, Lieutenant Dallas, are you thinking I decided to blackmail Cicely over her future son-in-law's youthful indiscretion, had some henchman in my employ lure her to the West End, and when she didn't cooperate, slit her throat?
indiscretion = behavior that displayed a lack of good judgment
(Editor's note: The prefix "in-" in indiscretion means not and reverses the meaning of discretion. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.)
(Editor's note: The prefix "in-" in indiscretion means not and reverses the meaning of discretion. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.)
Definition
Generally this sense of discretion means:good judgment or good taste
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
disdain
2 uses
He was well aware that Eve's disdain for the media had grown into a full-fledged disgust over the last couple of months.
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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
dubious
3 uses
She scanned the menu and settled dubiously on the stuffed shells supreme.
dubiously = doubtfully or suspiciously
Definition
Generally dubious means:doubtful
in various senses, including:
- doubtful that something should be relied upon — as in "The argument relies on a dubious assumption."
- doubtful that something is morally proper — as in "The company is accused of using dubious sales practices to influence minors."
- bad or of questionable value — as in "The state has the dubious distinction of the highest taxes."
- doubtful or uncertain — as in "She is dubious about making the change."
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
elaborate (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 5 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
elaborate on your plan
"Just answer the question. Don't elaborate."
elaborate = add details
Definition
Generally this sense of elaborate means:add details or explain in detail
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
2 —2 uses as in:
an elaborate design
One of the loftier buildings on Broadcast Avenue, it towered up from a wide, flat hilt, housed several thousand employees, five elaborate studios, including the most lavish new set on the East Coast, and enough power to beam transmissions to every pocket of the planet and its orbiting stations.
elaborate = fancy (with many special details and features)
Definition
Generally this sense of elaborate means:having details and complexity — sometimes fancy or ornate
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
inclined (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
I'm inclined to
There's always that possibility, Eve, but I'm more inclined to see the killer as an active participant rather than a hireling.
inclined = with a tendency (an attitude favoring)
Definition
Generally this sense of inclined means:a tendency, mood, desire, or attitude that favors something; or making someone favor something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
2 —1 use as in:
on an incline or incline his head
He understood, and inclined his head.
inclined = bowed (or bent or angled)
Definition
Generally this sense of incline means:to be at an angle or to bend
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
meticulous
5 uses
Eve meticulously searched the rest of the room.
meticulously = in a manner treating details with great care
Definition
Generally meticulous means:treating details with great care
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
muse
21 uses
1 —21 uses as in:
her musings
"He's better than I'd thought," Roarke mused.
mused = thought (in this case, out loud)
Definition
Generally this sense of muse means:reflect (think) deeply on a subject — perhaps aloud
Word Statistics
| Book | 21 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
objective
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an objective viewpoint
I'm telling you this, Dallas, so that you know up front I have no objectivity on this case.
objectivity = ability to act or think based on facts without the influence of personal feelings or preferences
Definition
Generally this sense of objective means:fact-based without the influence of personal feelings or preferences
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
prominent
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
a prominent politician
a prominent U.S. senator
prominent = well-known
Definition
Generally this sense of prominent means:well-known or important — especially of a person who is respected
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
rectify
2 uses
My mistake for allowing it, but that can be rectified.
rectified = fixed
Definition
Generally this sense of rectify means:correct, fix, or make right
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
relevant
1 use
And your question was relevant.
relevant = related in a meaningful way to the issue in question
Definition
Generally relevant means:relating in a meaningful way to the issue in question
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
simulate
5 uses
She listened to the song of night birds—no simulation, but the real thing—that hung on the fragrant air like tears.
simulation = artificial imitation
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
Definition
Generally simulate means:make an imitation or representation of
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
speculate
6 uses
1 —6 uses as in:
don't know, but I'll speculate
He must love watching all the reports, hearing all the details, the speculation.
speculation = guesses without certainty
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
Definition
Generally this sense of speculate means:to think about, wonder, guess or theorize with much uncertainty
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |