approach (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
approached the city
Winter is approaching.
approaching = getting nearer
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 104 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
2 —1 use as in:
use the best approach
Perhaps I just need to work harder, but I may need an entirely different approach to the problem.
approach = method (way of doing something)
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:a way of doing something; or a route that leads to a particular place
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
candid
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
your candid opinion
Don't worry about my feelings. I'd like your candid opinion.
candid = honest and direct
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 36 |
discern
5 uses
The second picture has more pixels, but the human eye can't discern the difference.
discern = notice or see (something that is not obvious)
Definition
Generally discern means:to notice or understand something — often something that is not obvious
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 26 |
discriminate
3 uses
1 —3 uses 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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
disdain
1 use
She tries to be polite, but cannot hide her disdain for authority.
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
dispose
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
disposed the troops along...
Troops were disposed strategically along the northern border.
disposed = placed
Definition
Generally this sense of dispose means:the arrangement, positioning, or use of things
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
dubious
2 uses
She was dubious, but agreed to come with us anyway.
dubious = doubtful; or suspicious; or full of uncertainty
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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
duplicity
3 uses
I trust her. Duplicity isn't in her nature or her tool kit.
duplicity = deception
Definition
Generally duplicity means:deception (lying to or misleading others) — usually over an extended period
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
enigma
4 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 | 4 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
establish (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 8 uses
1 —6 uses as in:
establish a positive tone
Which word choice best maintains the tone established in the first paragraph?
established = created
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
2 —2 uses as in:
establish that there is a need
The passage is primarily about establishing the relationship between the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and global temperature.
establishing = showing or demonstrating
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
futile
6 uses
Resistance is futile.
futile = pointless because it cannot produce anything useful
Definition
Generally futile means:effort that is pointless because it is unproductive or unsuccessful
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
impetuous
1 use
She regretted her impetuous promise.
impetuous = impulsive (made suddenly without much thought)
Definition
Generally this sense of impetuous means:impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) — often with an unfortunate consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
incessant
4 uses
She grew annoyed by the child's incessant questions.
incessant = continuous
Definition
Generally incessant means:continuous — often in an annoying way
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
lucid
4 uses
Although she was on heavy pain medication, she was still lucid.
lucid = capable of thinking clearly
Definition
Generally lucid means:of a person: capable of thinking clearly
or:
of language: clearly expressed so it is easily understood
or:
of language: clearly expressed so it is easily understood
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
mollify
6 uses
She managed to mollify the angry customer.
mollify = calm
Definition
Generally mollify means:calm someone who is or may become angry or upset
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
proclivity
1 use
She has a proclivity for exaggeration.
proclivity = tendency
Definition
Generally proclivity means:a tendency, inclination, preference, or strength
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 23 |
rectify
1 use
I am doing what I can to rectify the error.
rectify = correct, fix, or make right
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |
swindle
2 uses
She stole over a million dollars in her biggest swindle.
swindle = fraud (or deception) to steal money
Definition
Generally swindle means:tricking or cheating someone — usually to get money
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |