approximate
4 uses
At approximately 1:30 P.M. on September 21, the neighbors on Carlin Street began to hear screams from the White bungalow.
approximately = about (but not exactly)
Definition
Generally approximate means:almost, but not exact; or similar
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
atone
4 uses
This was some strange kind of atonement,
atonement = the process of fixing or making up for a wrong
Definition
Generally atone means:to fix or make up for a wrong — especially a sin (even if nothing can be done to make up for the wrong other than to show regret)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
complacent
1 use
She was quite sure (or only hopeful) that she wasn't that weak, not that liable to fall docilely into the complacent expectations of parents, friends, and even herself.
complacent = contented (unworried and satisfied)
Definition
Generally complacent means:contented (unworried and satisfied) — often to a fault
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
contempt (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
feels contempt towards her
Then the laughter, disgusted, contemptuous, horrified, seemed to rise and bloom into something jagged and ugly,
contemptuous = showing a 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 |
2 —1 use as in:
held in contempt of court
Miss Snell, this body is empowered to cite you for contempt if you refuse to answer on any other grounds than Constitutional ones.
contempt = the crime of willful disobedience to or disrespect for the authority of a court
Definition
Generally this sense of contempt means:the crime of willful disobedience to or disrespect for the authority of a court or legislative body
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
discord
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
discordant music
The music came to a crashing, discordant halt,
discordant = unpleasant sounding (probably because the musicians did not all stop at the same time)
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 |
doleful
2 uses
Sue smiled dolefully.
dolefully = full of sadness
Definition
Generally doleful means:expressing or causing sadness
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
elaborate (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
elaborate on your plan
"Yes," Sue said, and did not elaborate.
elaborate = add details
Definition
Generally this sense of elaborate means:add details or explain in detail
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
2 —1 use as in:
an elaborate design
Maybe it was all just an elaborate joke, the final crusher, the ultimate punch line.
elaborate = having details and complexity
Definition
Generally this sense of elaborate means:having details and complexity — sometimes fancy or ornate
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
immutable
1 use
Carrie had been going to school with some of them since the first grade, and this had been building since that time, building slowly and immutably, in accordance with all the laws that govern human nature,
immutably = in a manner that is unchangeable
Definition
Generally immutable means:unchangeable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
indolent
1 use
the boatman leaning with eternal indolence against his tiller while the sunset blazed around him
indolence = laziness
Definition
Generally this sense of indolent means:lazy; disinclined to work
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
latent
3 uses
We know that she possessed a latent telekinetic talent, commonly referred to as TK.
latent = potentially existing but not presently active
Definition
Generally latent means:potentially existing but not presently evident or active
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
morose
2 uses
"Wait 'til you've been in the game twenty years, like me," he said morosely,
morosely = unhappily
Definition
Generally morose means:unhappy — often with a withdrawn personality
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
obscure (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 5 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
it obscured my view
She could see her reflection in the darkened glass, lips parted, eyes wide, and then the condensation of her breath obscured it.
obscured = made less visible
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:to block from view or make less visible or understandable
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
2 —1 use as in:
the view or directions are obscure
Some obscure sense told her that a few were getting out the fire doors, but let them.
obscure = mysterious (not clearly understood)
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:not clearly seen, understood, or expressed
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
3 —1 use as in:
knows the famous and the obscure
He also sold beer, cheap wine, dirty books, and a wide selection of obscure cigarettes such as Murads, King Sano, and Marvel Straights.
obscure = not known to many people
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:not known to many people; or unimportant or undistinguished
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
phenomenon
8 uses
The phenomenon has most reliably been reported in times of crisis or in stress situations,
phenomenon = something seen that is considered extraordinary
Definition
Generally phenomenon means:something that exists or happened — especially something of special interest — sometimes someone or something that is extraordinary
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
predominant
1 use
The predominant odor was of old paint from the Dramatics Club canvas flats.
predominant = most noticeable (most powerful or influential)
Definition
Generally predominant means:most frequent, common, or important; or having more power and influence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
redolent
3 uses
The air was redolent with the odor of flowers; the nose was constantly amazed by it.
redolent = having an odor that brings something to mind; or having a strong pleasant odor
Definition
Generally redolent means:reminiscent (serving to bring to mind)
or:
or smelling like something; or having a sweet fragrance
or:
or smelling like something; or having a sweet fragrance
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
testimony
9 uses
For the remainder of your testimony, I wish you would stick to what you saw, Mr. Quillan.
testimony = statement (evidence)
Definition
Generally testimony means:something that serves as evidence — especially a statement at a trial or hearing
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |