arbor
3 uses
The arbor provided a shady resting place in the park.
arbor = a framework that supports climbing plants
Definition
Generally this sense of arbor means:a framework that supports climbing plants; or a shady rest area made by such a framework or by trees and shrubs
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
atrocious
1 use
She was alarmed by his atrocious behavior.
atrocious = exceptionally bad or cruel
Definition
Generally atrocious means:exceptionally bad, cruel, or ugly
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
conscientious
1 use
She is conscientious in the lab.
conscientious = careful and thorough
Definition
Generally conscientious means:careful to do what is right—especially to perform duties in a thorough manner (as when guided by conscience)
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
convoluted
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
convoluted folds of the brain
I don't know how to untie such a convoluted knot.
convoluted = having complex coils, folds, and twists
Definition
Generally this sense of convoluted means:having complex coils, folds, twists, or irregularities
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
cultivate
1 use
We encourage our representatives to cultivate a close relationship with their clients.
cultivate = develop or grow
Definition
Generally cultivate means:enhance growth or development
in various senses, including:
- to grow crops or prepare land for them
- enhance a relationship — especially for a purpose
- develop discernment (better recognition of differences) in taste or judgment
- to grow a culture in a petri dish
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
debase
1 use
Prosecutors said fighters raped village elders to publicly debase them.
debase = decrease the status
Definition
Generally debase means:to degrade (decrease) the purity, quality, or status of something — often morality or metals
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
deride
1 use
She relentlessly mocks and derides the younger students.
derides = criticizes with strong disrespect
Definition
Generally deride means:to criticize with strong disrespect — often
with humor
with humor
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
endure
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
endure through the ages
She is gone, but her teachings endure through the ages.
endure = continue to exist
Definition
Generally this sense of endure means:to continue to exist
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
grotesque
1 use
She was wearing a grotesque mask that was quite disturbing.
grotesque = distorted or ugly
Definition
Generally grotesque means:distorted and unnatural in shape or size — especially in a disturbing way
or:
ugly, gross, or very wrong
or:
ugly, gross, or very wrong
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
infuriate
1 use
She was infuriated by his rude behavior.
infuriated = made very angry or annoyed
Definition
Generally infuriate means:to make very angry or annoyed
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
perplex
1 use
She was perplexed by the rules of the game.
perplexed = confused
Definition
Generally perplex means:to confuse
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
perseverance
1 use
Her perseverance was finally rewarded.
perseverance = continued effort to achieve something despite difficulties
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
prescribe
1 use
The doctor prescribed an antibiotic for the infection.
prescribed = gave medical instructions instructing that the patient should take
Definition
Generally prescribe means:to recommend or require what should be done
or more specifically:
of a medical doctor: to give medical instructions — such as writing that a patient should take antibiotics
or more specifically:
of a medical doctor: to give medical instructions — such as writing that a patient should take antibiotics
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 2000 |
provoke
2 uses
Her remarks provoked a public outcry.
provoked = caused — typically an emotional reaction such as anger
Definition
Generally provoke means:to cause a reaction — typically an emotional reaction such as anger; and sometimes caused intentionally
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
recur
1 use
The infection is less likely to recur if you finish all the recommended antibiotics.
recur = happen again
Definition
Generally recur means:to happen repeatedly or a second time
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
reproach
1 use
She reproached him for being thoughtless and lazy.
reproached = criticized
Definition
Generally reproach means:a criticism; or to express criticism — especially where a relationship makes the disapproval result in disappointment or shame
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 2000 |
subtle
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a subtle shade of blue
Her warning was subtle, but unmistakable.
subtle = understated (so as not to draw attention to itself)
Definition
Generally this sense of subtle means:understated so as not to draw attention to itself
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 500 |
symmetry
1 use
The building has multiple local symmetries.
symmetries = balance among the parts of something
Definition
Generally symmetry means:balance among the parts of something
or more specifically:
having an exact reflection of form on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane
or more specifically:
having an exact reflection of form on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
twilight
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
pink clouds in a twilight sky
It is a beautiful picture taken in twilight.
twilight = the light from the sky in the time of day between daylight and darkness (just after sunset or just before sunrise)
Definition
Generally this sense of twilight means:the time of day between daylight and darkness (just after sunset or just before sunrise); or the light from the sky at that time
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
undulate
1 use
A sidewinding snake uses less energy to cover the same distance as a laterally undulating snake uses.
undulating = moving with smooth wave-like movements
Definition
Generally undulate means:a smooth wave-like motion (physical or auditory)
or:
having a wavy or rippled form or surface
or:
having a wavy or rippled form or surface
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 2000 |