alacrity
2 uses
Randolph Gates was summoned, and he ran into their arms with alacrity, stunning one courtroom after another with his elocutionary gymnastics.†
alacrity = quickness; and/or cheerful eagerness
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
apparent
38 uses
Conklin sighed, his indecision apparent.
apparent = obvious
Definition
Generally apparent means:clear or obvious; or appearing as such but not necessarily so
Word Statistics
| Book | 38 uses |
| Library | 66 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
astute
2 uses
Chrysler may not like Toyota, but the astute Mr. Iacocca does not call for an air strike against Tokyo.
astute = smart and perceptive
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
disparate
2 uses
an otherwise honorable man with a single weakness that had been uncovered by two disparate parties both with extraordinary resources.
disparate = very different
Definition
Generally disparate means:very different — often referring to a collection of very different elements such as a group of very different people
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
elusive
6 uses
his elusive friend Jason Bourne
elusive = hard to find (difficult to get a hold of)
Definition
Generally elusive means:difficult to get a hold of
(mentally such as a memory or description; or externally such as an achievement or physical capture)
(mentally such as a memory or description; or externally such as an achievement or physical capture)
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
ersatz
3 uses
We're deflecting most of the local inquiries with an ersatz story about a massive propane-gas leak, but not too many people are buying it.†
ersatz = an artificial or inferior substitute or imitation
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
erudite
5 uses
My erudite friend from Cambodia ... doesn't climb over fences with his foot in cement at three o'clock in the morning unless he thinks he has to.
erudite = profoundly knowledgeable
Definition
Generally erudite means:having or showing deep scholarly knowledge
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
esoteric
2 uses
But then you have so many esoteric phrases.
esoteric = private (understandable by only an enlightened inner circle)
Definition
Generally esoteric means:confined to and understandable by only a few — often an enlightened inner circle
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
grave
4 uses
I'll be away for a while, visiting a place where a grave error was made.†
grave = serious and solemn
Definition
Generally this sense of grave means:serious and/or solemn
The exact meaning of this sense of grave can depend upon its context. For example:
- "This is a grave problem," or "a situation of the utmost gravity." — important, dangerous, or causing worry
- "She was in a grave mood upon returning from the funeral." — sad or solemn
- "She looked me in the eye and gravely promised." — in a sincere and serious manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
Hong Kong
46 uses
Sources in Washington claim that the assassin known as Jason Bourne was hunted down and killed in Hong Kong five years ago in a joint British-American operation.
Hong Kong = one of the world's leading commercial centers on the coast of southern China; formerly an English colony; leased by China to Britain in 1842 and returned in 1997
Word Statistics
| Book | 46 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
incognito
2 uses
I'm traveling incognito, you do know what I mean.†
incognito = with identity hidden — such as via a disguise or false name
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
indigent
2 uses
The figure in shadows was an indigent, an old man in worn-out clothes, one of the homeless in a land of so much plenty.†
indigent = so poor as to lack basic necessities like food and shelter; or people in that condition
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
inevitable
14 uses
I said the strategy was so perfect it was inevitable and therefore self-fulfilling.
inevitable = certain to happen
Definition
Generally inevitable means:certain to happen (even if one tried to prevent it)
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 23 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
innocuous
2 uses
During the extremely innocuous and very friendly conference,
innocuous = harmless
Definition
Generally innocuous means:unlikely to harm or disturb
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
malfeasance
1 use
No, actually the charge was malfeasance. Accepting remunerations for favorable decisions, that sort of thing.
malfeasance = illegal behavior by a public official
(editor's note: Remuneration is a synonym for payment.)
(editor's note: Remuneration is a synonym for payment.)
Definition
Generally malfeasance means:illegal behavior by someone in a position of trust — such as a public official or corporate executive
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
opulent
4 uses
"How grand you look, Randolph," he continued in a thin voice while studying his host and glancing around at the opulent suite.
opulent = luxurious (usually expensive)
Definition
Generally opulent means:magnificent and luxurious — usually expensive
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
profuse
6 uses
An event was taking place at the Kubinka, a decently attended affair, which accounted for the profusion of automobiles,
profusion = abundance (a lot of something)
(editor's note: The suffix "-sion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in admission from admit, discussion from discuss, and invasion from invade.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-sion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in admission from admit, discussion from discuss, and invasion from invade.)
Definition
Generally profuse means:abundant (a lot of something)
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
revere
4 uses
In the name of our revered Karl Marx, do explain how you reached this contradictory conclusion!
revered = respected and admired
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 | 4 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
scrutiny
4 uses
Gates is a highly paid consultant to a law firm representing a megadefense contractor under antitrust scrutiny.
scrutiny = inspection
Definition
Generally scrutiny means:careful examination of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
stoic
2 uses
"The incident has been forgotten, sir," said Pritchard stoically.
stoically = without displaying emotion
Definition
Generally stoic means:seeming unaffected by pleasure, pain, or emotions
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |