conscientious
2 uses
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 | 2 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 3 |
denizen
2 uses
The book has photographs of deep sea creatures, and is called "Denizens of the Deep."
denizens = animals that inhabit a particular place
Definition
Generally denizen means:a person or animal that inhabits or frequently visits a particular place
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 3 |
dictate
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
Hitler dictated that...
The college has rules that dictate what constitutes consent in sexual activity.
dictate = state authoritatively (command)
Definition
Generally this sense of dictate means:issue commands or orders
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 2000 |
1st use | Chapter 8 |
distend
1 use
One method of declawing is to severe the tendon that allows the claws to distend.
distend = extend
Definition
Generally distend means:to extend — especially the swelling outward of a part of the body; e.g., the stomach
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 5 |
domesticated
1 use
Dogs were domesticated thousands of years ago.
domesticated = made fit for service to humans or home life — by breeding or taming
Definition
Generally domesticated means:to make fit for service to humans or home life — by breeding or taming
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 14 |
foliage
3 uses
It's difficult to spot the birds in the foliage.
foliage = plant leaves
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2 |
galaxy
4 uses
The Star Wars story is said to have taken place in a galaxy far, far away.
galaxy = a collection of star systems
Definition
Generally galaxy means:a collection of star systems held together by gravity — for example, our sun is a star whose system includes Earth and the other planets. That star system is a tiny part of the Milky Way galaxy
Word Statistics
Book | 4 uses |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1 |
garnish
1 use
She garnished the plate with parsley.
garnished = decorated or adorned
Definition
Generally this sense of garnish means:to decorate or adorn something (most typically food with another food); or the item added for decoration
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2 |
onerous
1 use
They argue that onerous regulation is driving business from the city.
onerous = requiring significant effort
Definition
Generally onerous means:difficult (requiring significant effort)
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 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 2 |
pyre
1 use
While cremation is not uncommon in the western world, open air funeral pyres are typically illegal.
pyres = piles of wood or other burnable materials
Definition
Generally pyre means:a pile of wood or other burnable material — especially to burn a dead body as in a funeral rite
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 7 |
quibble
1 use
Let's not quibble over pennies.
quibble = argue about unimportant things
Definition
Generally quibble means:to argue about unimportant things; or an argument or complaint about something unimportant
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 14 |
ravine
3 uses
The car plunged into a 15-foot ravine.
ravine = deep, narrow, steep-sided valley
Definition
Generally ravine means:a deep narrow steep-sided valley — especially one formed by running water
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 3 |
requisition
3 uses
The surveillance recordings were requisitioned by police to identify the thief.
requisitioned = officially demanded
Definition
Generally requisition means:to officially request, demand, or take something; or the form used to make such a request
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 8 |
rhetoric
1 use
She has convincing rhetoric, but makes bad decisions.
rhetoric = use of words to make a point
Definition
Generally rhetoric means:the use of (or study of using) words to make a point — typically implying skillful use
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 7 |
strenuous
3 uses
The doctor recommended strenuous exercise three times a week.
strenuous = difficult (requiring much effort)
Definition
Generally strenuous means:energetic; or physically or mentally difficult or requiring endurance
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 14 |
torrent
3 uses
She screamed a torrent of abuse.
torrent = an overwhelming amount
Definition
Generally torrent means:an overwhelming amount — especially of quickly moving water
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1 |
tundra
1 use
Tundra reindeer travel as much as 3,000 miles a year.
tundra = a treeless plain where the subsoil is always frozen
Definition
Generally tundra means:a vast treeless plain in the northern arctic regions where the subsoil is always frozen (between the ice cap and the tree line)
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2 |
twinge
3 uses
I often feel a twinge at that tooth when I drink something cold.
twinge = a sudden, short-lived feeling of pain
Definition
Generally twinge means:a sudden, short-lived feeling of pain or emotion
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2 |
ubiquitous
1 use
We are all familiar with the company's ubiquitous advertisements.
ubiquitous = found everywhere all the time
Definition
Generally ubiquitous means:being present everywhere or all the time
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 15 |