apparent
10 uses
The effects of the drought are apparent to anyone who sees the dry fields.
apparent = clear or obvious
Definition
Generally apparent means:clear or obvious; or appearing as such but not necessarily so
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 66 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
chaos
3 uses
The country entered a period of civil war and chaos.
chaos = extreme confusion and disorder
Definition
Generally chaos means:a state of extreme confusion and disorder
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 26 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
claustrophobia
1 use
I avoid elevators because of claustrophobia.
claustrophobia = abnormal fear of being closed in a confined space
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
discern
1 use
The second picture has more pixels, but the human eye can't discern the difference.
discern = notice or see (something that is not obvious)
Definition
Generally discern means:to notice or understand something — often something that is not obvious
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
emerge
12 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 | 12 uses |
| Library | 58 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
emulate
1 use
It wasn't just that she copied her older sister's hairstyle. She tried to emulate her in every way.
emulate = imitate (copy)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
endure
5 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
endured the pain
I endured insult and injury without complaint.
endured = suffered through
Definition
Generally this sense of endure means:to suffer through (or put up with something difficult or unpleasant)
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 18 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
fallacy
1 use
The entire argument is built on a fallacy.
fallacy = a mistaken belief
Definition
Generally fallacy means:a mistaken belief; or a common form of incorrect reasoning
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
furtive
1 use
She watched me in a furtive manner—trying to hide her interest.
furtive = cautious or taking pains to avoid being observed
Definition
Generally furtive means:taking pains to avoid being observed
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
futile
1 use
Resistance is futile.
futile = pointless because it cannot produce anything useful
Definition
Generally futile means:effort that is pointless because it is unproductive or unsuccessful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
inane
2 uses
I can't take any more of her inane ideas.
inane = lacking substance (or silly)
Definition
Generally inane means:lacking substance - perhaps silly
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
inevitable
2 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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 23 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
innocuous
1 use
She made some innocuous comments while being careful not to hurt anyone's feelings.
innocuous = unlikely to harm or disturb
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
insolent
1 use
I don't recommend the hotel. The employees are insolent and unhelpful.
insolent = rudely disrespectful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
minute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
minute size
Don't eat a lot of poppy seeds for a few days before a drug test. They have a minute amount of a chemical that can cause a false positive when testing for heroin use.
minute = tiny
Definition
Generally this sense of minute means:small, exceptionally small, or insignificant
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
precipitate
1 use
1 —1 use
(verb) as in: it could precipitate war
The accident precipitated the union strike for better working conditions.
precipitated = caused suddenly
Definition
Generally this sense of precipitate means:make something happen or to fall or move — typically suddenly and often of something undesired
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
prodigal
1 use
The rainforest is filled with a prodigal variety of vegetation.
prodigal = abundant (many, many kinds)
Definition
Generally prodigal means:recklessly wasteful
or more rarely:
abundant (extravagant in amount)
or more rarely still:
long absent (someone who has been away a long time)
or more rarely:
abundant (extravagant in amount)
or more rarely still:
long absent (someone who has been away a long time)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
tremulous
1 use
She spoke timidly in a tremulous voice.
tremulous = quivering (shaky)
Definition
Generally tremulous means:quivering (shaky) — usually from weakness or fear — especially of the voice
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
trepidation
1 use
She began her first day at the new school with some trepidation.
trepidation = nervousness
Definition
Generally trepidation means:nervousness (fear or anxiety about what will happen)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
whimsical
1 use
It was an especially whimsical episode of Family Guy.
whimsical = playful or amusing
Definition
Generally whimsical means:playful, amusing, or impulsive rather than seriously rational
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |