approach
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
use the best approach
As the pilot entered his final approach the flight officer acknowledged their clearance to the tower, then switched to his prescribed sterile frequency and sent a last message in French to an off limits communications room.†
approach = route (way to get somewhere)
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 trust no one, especially anyone associated with our benevolent socialist government.
benevolent = generous
Definition
Generally benevolent means:kind, generous, or charitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
complacent
1 use
Complacency is over.
complacency = contentment (without concern — often to a fault)
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
where kings, princes and pretenders deferred to his wisdom
deferred = yielded
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 jet loomed ... a white bullet-like machine with short delta wings sweeping back from the fuselage, giving it the appearance of an angry flying insect.
delta = shaped like an equilateral triangle (or like the 4th letter of the Greek alphabet)
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
The majestic walls ... seem to stare at the unworthy trespassers with disdain.
disdain = a 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...
"Far less than you have at your disposal, I assume," interrupted Bernardine.†
disposal = command
(editor's note: When something is "at someone's disposal" it is "at their command," or "available for their use." They can use it as they please.)
(editor's note: When something is "at someone's disposal" it is "at their command," or "available for their use." They can use it as they please.)
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 blaring music marshaled memories of battles won and lost, engendering arguments between old soldiers who had basically been the assault troops,
engendering = causing
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
Paris traffic is an endless enigma regardless of the hour of day or night.
enigma = mystery
Definition
Generally enigma means: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
Other names-MIAs established as never having been in combat ... eight investigating personnel from the inspector general's office.†
established = found (proved)
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
He remembered the words his mother incessantly repeated when he was a youngster in the Bronx:
incessantly = continuously
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
What do we do now, Monsieur Bourne?
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 mechanized, bulletproof vehicle stopped on the narrow path at midpoint between the two front gates nearly obscured by the shrubbery; Jason adjusted his binoculars.
obscured = hidden
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
First, naturally, there'll be the trip to the Caymans, where, I'm told, there are excellent tailors; then perhaps a clever little yacht and a small charter business that can be substantiated as having been moved from Tierra del Fuego or the Malvinas, some godforsaken place where a little money can produce an identity and a highly credible if obscure past.
obscure = mysterious (not clearly seen or 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 man ... died eleven months ago and was a known closet orthodox Catholic, who would have been far happier as a truly devout priest.
orthodox = 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
It's why you wanted an ostentatious limousine from our embassy.
ostentatious = showy (intended to attract notice and impress others)
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
They can be refuted, proved to be totally false, yet still there is that lingering doubt.
refuted = proved false
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
I don't believe it's relevant under the circumstances,
relevant = meaningful (to the issue in question)
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
Of course not, as long as there are liars and unscrupulous lawyers to bribe and advise the liars.
unscrupulous = unethical
(editor's note: The prefix "un-" in unscrupulous means not and reverses the meaning of scrupulous. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.)
(editor's note: The prefix "un-" in unscrupulous means not and reverses the meaning of scrupulous. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.)
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
Our illustrious chairman of the Federal Trade Commission said that the ubiquitous 'we' could get rid of the military because in six months 'we' would have all the controls we needed in Europe.
ubiquitous = omnipresent (being present everywhere)
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 |