adapt
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
adapted to the new rules
Ideas contained in passages for this test, some of which are excerpted or adapted from published material, do not necessarily represent the opinions of the College Board.
adapted = changed (to fit this situation)
Definition
Generally this sense of adapt means:changed to fit a different situation; or made suitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
anecdote
3 uses
Her autobiography is sprinkled with amusing anecdotes.
anecdotes = short true stories
Definition
Generally anecdote means:a short story that is true — often told for amusement or to make a point
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
attribute (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
It is an attribute of...
The spreadsheet has a column to describe the breed of dog and then ten additional columns to indicate attributes of the breeds. For example the second column has the average full-grown weight.
attributes = characteristics
Definition
Generally this sense of attribute means:a characteristic (of something or someone)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
2 —1 use as in:
I attribute it to...
She attributed this quotation to Shakespeare.
attributed = credited (pointed to as the source of)
Definition
Generally this sense of attribute means:to credit (a source for something)
in two typical senses:
- "I attribute it to her work." — to say who or what made something happen
- "Remember to attribute any quotations in your paper." — indicate the source of a quotation or idea
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
austere
1 use
He took a vow of silence and leads an austere life at the monastery.
austere = lacking luxury (and stern)
Definition
Generally austere means:a notable absence of luxury, comfort, or decoration
or:
of a person: stern in manner; or practicing great self-denial
or:
of a person: stern in manner; or practicing great self-denial
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
consequence
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
a direct consequence of
Your decision will have three major consequences.
consequences = results
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 28 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
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 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
delude
5 uses
She is a sincere but deluded idealist.
deluded = with a false belief
Definition
Generally delude means:deceive (convince to have a false belief)
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
epiphany
1 use
The struggle led to an epiphany.
epiphany = sudden realization
Definition
Generally epiphany means:a sudden realization — especially one of importance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
evaluate
2 uses
I'm evaluating colleges and deciding which I want to apply to.
evaluating = thinking carefully and making a judgment about
Definition
Generally evaluate means:to think carefully and make a judgment about something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
evoke
2 uses
Her story evoked sympathy.
evoked = aroused
Definition
Generally evoke means:to call forth or cause — typically to arouse an emotion or bring a memory to mind
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
imply
2 uses
She wouldn't make a direct statement, but she implied that she supported our position.
implied = hinted or suggested
Definition
Generally imply means:to suggest or say indirectly — possibly as a logical consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Pro. |
irony
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
situational irony
She didn't see the irony in acting like the mother she detested.
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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
nonchalant
4 uses
I could tell she was nervous, but she was trying to look nonchalant.
nonchalant = calm and unconcerned
Definition
Generally nonchalant means:calm in manner — appearing unconcerned
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
nonetheless
9 uses
Sometimes she gets angry and loses her temper, but I love her nonetheless.
nonetheless = in spite of that (used to connect contrasting ideas)
Definition
Generally nonetheless means:in spite of that (Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nevertheless, all the same, still, and however.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
nostalgia
2 uses
The music makes me feel nostalgic.
nostalgic = with a longing for something past
Definition
Generally nostalgia means:happiness that come with the memory of good times combined with a hint of sadness that those times are over
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
omit
1 use
She recounted the whole story except that she omitted names.
omitted = left out
Definition
Generally omit means:to exclude or neglect something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
primarily
1 use
Did the author mention multiple companies primarily to demonstrate diversity of solutions or to show that interest in the industry is widespread?
primarily = mainly
Definition
Generally primarily means:mainly (most importantly)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
scrutiny
4 uses
She scrutinized her reflection in the mirror.
scrutinized = looked very carefully at
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.)
Definition
Generally scrutiny means:careful examination of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
skeptical
4 uses
I am skeptical about her plan.
skeptical = doubtful
Definition
Generally skeptical means:doubtful (that something is true or worthwhile)
or more rarely:
generally tending to doubt what others believe
or more rarely:
generally tending to doubt what others believe
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |