accord (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 7 uses
1 —6 uses as in:
according to, or in accord with
"Is your mom around?" Ronnie asked as Alice shifted her weight, trying to see into the kitchen behind me.
I adjusted myself accordingly, blocking her view, before saying...
I adjusted myself accordingly, blocking her view, before saying...
accordingly = because of what was just happened
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:in keeping with; or in agreement/harmony/unity with
This sense of accord is often seen in the form according to or accordingly where it can take on more specific meanings. For example:
- "According to Kim, ..." — as stated by
- "To each according to her ability." — based upon
- "Points are scored according to how well they perform." — depending upon
- "The dose is calculated according to body weight." — in proportion to
- "We got a flat tire. Accordingly, I pulled to the side of the road." — because of what was just said; or as a result
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 53 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
2 —1 use as in:
done of her own accord
I would have had more faith if she'd gone of her own accord.
own accord = own mind (voluntarily — without anyone asking)
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:mind
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
acquiesce
3 uses
I needed the money, though, so I'd bitten my tongue and acquiesced.
acquiesced = reluctantly complied
Definition
Generally acquiesce means:reluctant or unenthusiastic compliance, consent, or agreement
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
aversion
1 use
Maybe it was a late-shift thing, this aversion to daylight in general, and morning specifically.
aversion = dislike
Definition
Generally aversion means:dislike that leads to avoidance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
calculus
19 uses
"I'm very good at calculus," he explained, pushing up his glasses.
calculus = the branch of mathematics that is concerned with continuously changing values
Definition
Generally this sense of calculus means:any system or process used to calculate values or to reason
or:
the branch of mathematics that is concerned with continuously changing values
or:
the branch of mathematics that is concerned with continuously changing values
Word Statistics
| Book | 19 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
contrast
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
there is a contrast
The hole was even bigger now, the red clay and exposed rock a marked contrast to the even green grass on either side of it.†
contrast = notable difference
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:a difference — especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
cursory
1 use
Sure enough, by the time I lifted my head a couple of minutes later to turn my attention to the teacher, a cursory check revealed everyone else was pretty much doing the same.
cursory = hasty (quick) and without attention to detail
Definition
Generally cursory means:quick—not thorough (without attention to detail)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
dispose
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
disposed the troops along...
Or will you get your own apartment, Ruby, with all the money at your disposal?†
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 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
dubious
1 use
I looked up at her, dubious, as she extended her hand to me.
dubious = doubtful or uncertain
Definition
Generally dubious means:doubtful
in various senses, including:
- doubtful that something should be relied upon — as in "The argument relies on a dubious assumption."
- doubtful that something is morally proper — as in "The company is accused of using dubious sales practices to influence minors."
- bad or of questionable value — as in "The state has the dubious distinction of the highest taxes."
- doubtful or uncertain — as in "She is dubious about making the change."
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
extricate
1 use
I had a feeling he was trying to extricate himself, although he'd had little luck thus far.
extricate = free from constraint or difficulty
Definition
Generally extricate means:free or remove from constraint or difficulty
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
gullible
1 use
It was possible he was just that gullible.
gullible = easily tricked because of being too trusting
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
incredulous
3 uses
'No way,' Nate said, incredulous.
incredulous = unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
irony
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
situational irony
I'd noticed the irony in what all the girls were wearing, which was basically expensive clothes made to look cheap.
irony = when what happens is very different than what might be expected
Definition
Generally this sense of irony means:when what happens is very different than what might be expected; or when things are together that seem like they don't belong together — especially when amusing or an entertaining coincidence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
kiosk
18 uses
And how long did it take you to leave me alone here, to run the kiosk myself?
kiosk = a very small area used as a store or to dispense information
Definition
Generally kiosk means:a very small area used as a store or to dispense information; or an interactive computer-driven self-service machine
Word Statistics
| Book | 18 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
literally (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 9 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
literally--not figuratively
Still, the woman literally jumped in the air. Completely vertical, feet off the ground, coffee spilling out of the cup backward, splattering the pavement.
literally = actually (not figuratively; not an exaggeration)
Definition
Generally this sense of literally means:actually true using the basic meaning of the words (not an exaggeration, metaphor, or other type of figurative speech)
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
2 —4 uses as in:
literally at death's door
Nate, who was a friend to me before I even knew what a friend was. Who picked me up, literally, over and over again, and never asked for anything in return except for my word and my understanding.
literally = an intensifier (to intensify what is said)
Definition
Generally this sense of literally means:an intensifier (to intensify what is said — especially a metaphor)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
perfunctory
1 use
Officially, it was my job to keep the ice bucket full and make sure the music was audible, but other than doing this on a most perfunctory level, I wasn't exactly mingling.
perfunctory = done without much interest or effort
Definition
Generally perfunctory means:done without much interest or effort — especially as when dispensing with a formality
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
petulant
1 use
My mother was at her worst just before going to work, petulant like a child.
petulant = prone to be unreasonably annoyed or upset
Definition
Generally petulant means:unreasonably annoyed or upset
or:
easily annoyed or upset
or:
easily annoyed or upset
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
rigorous
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a rigorous math class
But Perkins Day is more rigorous, academically, than you're used to.
rigorous = difficult and demanding
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
tentative
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
said it tentatively
Then, tentatively, he came closer, then a bit closer still, until finally...
tentatively = careful or unsure
Definition
Generally this sense of tentative means:done in a careful or unsure way (indicating a lack of confidence in exactly what will happen)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |