adjacent
2 uses
We stayed in adjacent hotel rooms.
adjacent = side-x-side (very near)
Definition
Generally adjacent means:very near — often directly beside
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7, p.60.9 |
alleviate
1 use
Regular massage will help to alleviate the pain.
alleviate = lessen
Definition
Generally alleviate means:to lessen something that is bad — especially to lessen pain
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11, p.131.1 |
ambivalent
1 use
Polling indicates the public is ambivalent on the subject. Their opinions change depending upon the latest headlines.
ambivalent = with mixed feelings
Definition
Generally ambivalent means:having mixed feelings about something — such as when part of you wants to do something and part of you does not
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13, p.186.9 |
coup
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
deposed in the coup
A successful coup with no bloodshed.
coup = the sudden overthrow of a government by use of limited force
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5, p.36.4 |
cursory
2 uses
I did a cursory search on Google and found several articles.
cursory = quick (not thorough)
Definition
Generally cursory means:quick—not thorough (without attention to detail)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19, p.230.7 |
epiphany
2 uses
The struggle led to an epiphany.
epiphany = sudden realization
Definition
Generally epiphany means:a sudden realization — especially one of importance
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 22, p.282.9 |
guile
1 use
Her cleverness and inventiveness was exceeded only by her guile.
guile = cunning (shrewdness and cleverness) and deceit
Definition
Generally guile means:cunning (shrewdness and cleverness) and deceitful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7, p.78.6 |
irony (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 5 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
situational irony
She didn't see the irony in acting like the mother she detested.
irony = when what happens is very different than what might be expected
Definition
Generally this sense of irony means:when what happens is very different than what might be expected; or when things are together that seem like they don't belong together — especially when amusing or an entertaining coincidence
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19, p.230.8 |
2 —1 use as in:
verbal irony
She was being ironic when she said she couldn't wait to see you again.
ironic = saying one thing, while meaning the opposite
Definition
Generally this sense of irony means:saying one thing, while meaning the opposite or something else — usually as humor or sarcasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11, p.140.5 |
Islamabad
16 uses
Islamabad was built in the 1960s as a planned city.
Islamabad = capital of Pakistan
Definition
Generally Islamabad means:the capital of Pakistan in the north on a plateau
Word Statistics
| Book | 16 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 23, p.304.7 |
lucrative
1 use
It is Google's most lucrative business.
lucrative = profitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10, p.111.5 |
monarchy
4 uses
The monarchy is over three hundred years old, but it was forced to share power and adopt a constitution during the last century.
monarchy = a government ruled by a king of queen
Definition
Generally monarchy means:a government or country ruled by a king of queen; or the ruling family of such a country
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5, p.36.9 |
mêlée
4 uses
The riot police were able to contain the mêlée.
mêlée = disorganized mass of people
Definition
Generally mêlée means:a disorganized mass of people — especially engaged in hand-to-hand combat, or rioting, or all going different directions and bumping into each other
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3, p.20.9 |
pragmatic
1 use
She is a pragmatic problem solver.
pragmatic = practical
Definition
Generally pragmatic means:concerned with practical matters — especially where quick results and/or practical experience triumph over theory
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 15, p.201.9 |
profound
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
profound sadness
Her apology was heartfelt—expressing profound sorrow and regret.
profound = intense (of great emotional depth)
Definition
Generally this sense of profound means:of greatest intensity or emotional depth
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 20, p.250.5 |
remorse
3 uses
There was no sign of remorse until the police caught her.
remorse = regret for doing something wrong
Definition
Generally remorse means:a feeling of deep regret for doing something that was wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 22, p.277.4 |
republic
5 uses
The United States and each of its states are republics.
republics = governmental systems in which a majority of citizens elect representatives to make laws
Definition
Generally republic means:a system of government in which a majority of citizens elect representatives to make laws
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5, p.37.2 |
reputable
4 uses
It is a reputable business.
reputable = trusted and respected
Definition
Generally reputable means:trusted and respected (having a good reputation)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4, p.24.2 |
Shia
7 uses
Iran is the center of Shia Islam.
Shia = second most populous denomination of Islam (15-20%)
Definition
Generally Shia means:second most populous denomination of Islam (about 15% and most associated with Iran)
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2, p.8.1 |
Sunni
2 uses
Saudi Arabia is the center of Sunni Islam.
Sunni = the majority denomination of Islam (80-85%)
Definition
Generally Sunni means:the majority denomination of Islam (about 85% and most associated with Saudi Arabia)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2, p.9.7 |