approach
2 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 |
assume (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 8 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
I assume it's true
I assume she was at school today, but I don't remember actually seeing her.
assume = accept as true (without really knowing for sure)
Definition
Generally this sense of assume means:to accept something as true without proof
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 67 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
2 —5 uses as in:
She assumed a false identity
She assumed the identify of her victim until the body was found.
assumed = took on (or adopted)
Definition
Generally this sense of assume means:to take on (adopt, wear, strike a pose or appearance of) — often while pretending or disguising
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 33 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
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 |
depravity
1 use
It is a terrible story of an innocent who trusted a man who treated her with ruthless depravity.
depravity = immorality or evilness
Definition
Generally depravity means:complete immorality or evilness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
diligent
1 use
She's the kind of diligent worker we want to hire.
diligent = showing hard work and care
Definition
Generally this sense of diligent means:hard work and care in tasks — often continuing when others might quit because of difficulties
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
emerge
13 uses
China recently emerged as a world power.
emerged = came out (became)
Definition
Generally emerge means:to come out, or to appear
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 58 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
expedient
1 use
It was a necessary expedient to get the job done.
expedient = a speedy or practical action
(The word necessary, implies that there were undesired aspects of the action.)
(The word necessary, implies that there were undesired aspects of the action.)
Definition
Generally expedient means:a practical action — especially one that accepts negative tradeoffs due to circumstances
or:
convenient, speedy, or practical
or:
convenient, speedy, or practical
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
highlight
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
highlights of the year
Did you watch the video highlights?
highlights = best parts
Definition
Generally this sense of highlight means:something that stands out
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
immigrate
14 uses
About 1 of each 8 people in the United States immigrated from somewhere else.
immigrated = came to live (from another country)
Definition
Generally immigrate means:come to live in a new country
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 20 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
inevitable
5 uses
It is as inevitable as death and taxes.
inevitable = certain to happen
Definition
Generally inevitable means:certain to happen (even if one tried to prevent it)
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 23 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
mock
17 uses
I will not permit the defendant to make a mockery of this trial.
mockery = something that is ridiculous
Definition
Generally mock means:making fun of
or:
not real
or:
not real
Word Statistics
| Book | 17 uses |
| Library | 31 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
prudent
2 uses
She was promoted to manager because she is so prudent.
prudent = sensible and careful
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
recite
28 uses
She recited a poem.
recited = said the lines of
Definition
Generally recite means:to say or read something aloud — especially something previously memorized such as a poem
or:
to say in detail — especially a list of things
or:
to say in detail — especially a list of things
Word Statistics
| Book | 28 uses |
| Library | 23 uses in 10 avg bks |
revere
7 uses
Many fans revere Michael Jordan as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
revere = deeply respect and admire
Definition
Generally revere means:regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration — sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
rigorous (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —1 use as in:
we follow a rigorous procedure
She followed the procedures rigorously.
rigorously = thoroughly and carefully
Definition
Generally this sense of rigorous means:thorough and careful procedures
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
2 —1 use as in:
a rigorous math class
The class was equally interesting and rigorous.
rigorous = difficult and demanding
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
unquizzed meaning —1 use
scrutiny
7 uses
She scrutinized her reflection in the mirror.
scrutinized = looked very carefully at
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.)
Definition
Generally scrutiny means:careful examination of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
stoic
4 uses
She suffered quietly, courageously, with a stoic acceptance of her illness.
stoic = unemotional
Definition
Generally stoic means:seeming unaffected by pleasure, pain, or emotions
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
wary
21 uses
She was taught to be wary of strangers.
wary = distrustful
Definition
Generally wary means:nervous about (or distrustful of) someone or something
Word Statistics
| Book | 21 uses |
| Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |