approach
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
use the best approach
Perhaps I just need to work harder, but I may need an entirely different approach to the problem.
approach = method (way of doing something)
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:a way of doing something; or a route that leads to a particular place
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
benevolent
3 uses
They called themselves The Benevolent Association because their mission was to help others.
benevolent = kind, generous, or charitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
complacent
1 use
She had become complacent after years of success.
complacent = unworried and satisfied
Definition
Generally complacent means:contented (unworried and satisfied) — often to a fault
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
defer
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
deferred to her wishes
I defer to her expertise.
defer = submit
Definition
Generally this sense of defer means:submit or yield (typically to another person's opinion because of respect for that person or their knowledge)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
delta
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
delta wing aircraft
The Delta Delta Delta sorority was founded in 1888 at Boston University.
delta = 4th letter of the Greek alphabet (shaped like a triangle)
Definition
Generally this sense of delta means:the 4th letter of the Greek alphabet; or an object shaped like its capital form (like an equilateral triangle)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
disdain
1 use
She tries to be polite, but cannot hide her disdain for authority.
disdain = lack of respect
Definition
Generally disdain means:a lack of respect — often suggesting distaste and an undeserved sense of superiority
or:
to reject as not good enough
or:
to reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
dispose
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
disposed the troops along...
Troops were disposed strategically along the northern border.
disposed = placed
Definition
Generally this sense of dispose means:the arrangement, positioning, or use of things
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
engender
3 uses
The police in Mexico don't engender confidence.
engender = cause (bring into being)
Definition
Generally engender means:cause — usually a feeling (possibly a situation)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
enigma
7 uses
As Churchill said about Russia, it is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.
enigma = something mysterious that seems unexplainable
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
establish
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
establish that there is a need
The passage is primarily about establishing the relationship between the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and global temperature.
establishing = showing or demonstrating
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
incessant
7 uses
She grew annoyed by the child's incessant questions.
incessant = continuous
Definition
Generally incessant means:continuous — often in an annoying way
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
Monsieur
81 uses
Monsieur and Madame Curie studied radium.
Monsieur = Mr. (in French)
Definition
Generally this sense of Monsieur means:French equivalent to the English Mr.
or:
French equivalent to saying sir in English (a polite way to address a male)
or:
French equivalent to saying sir in English (a polite way to address a male)
Word Statistics
| Book | 81 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
obscure (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 11 uses
1 —6 uses as in:
it obscured my view
The stars are obscured by the clouds.
obscured = hidden or made less visible
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:to block from view or make less visible or understandable
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
2 —5 uses as in:
the view or directions are obscure
For some obscure reason that goes back many years, they don't like each other.
obscure = not clearly understood
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:not clearly seen, understood, or expressed
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
orthodox
4 uses
The new findings challenge orthodox views.
orthodox = normal
Definition
Generally orthodox means:normal (describing thinking or behavior as commonly or traditionally accepted)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
ostentatious
3 uses
Although wealthy, the family is not ostentatious.
ostentatious = showy (trying to attract notice and impress others in a manner seen as in bad taste)
Definition
Generally ostentatious means:intended to attract notice and impress others — especially with wealth in a vulgar way
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
refute
2 uses
The speaker refuted his opponent's arguments.
refuted = argued against
Definition
Generally refute means:to disprove or argue against
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
relevant
4 uses
Shannon tells an interesting story, but it's not relevant to the decision we have to make.
relevant = important (related in a meaningful way)
Definition
Generally relevant means:relating in a meaningful way to the issue in question
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
scrupulous
3 uses
You can count on her. She is scrupulous in her work.
scrupulous = careful and thorough
Definition
Generally scrupulous means:careful to behave ethically and/or diligently (with great care and attention to detail)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
ubiquitous
3 uses
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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |