accentuate
1 use
Instead of the old brown cardigan I'd seen so many times, she was wearing a red V-neck sweater that somehow accentuated the color of her light blue eyes.
accentuated = emphasized or drew attention to
Definition
Generally accentuate means:to emphasize or draw attention to — possibly to emphasize by increasing
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
alternative
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an alternative plan
Though he still didn't like me in the house if he wasn't there, he nonetheless allowed me to come in. I knew that part of the reason had to do with the fact that he didn't want Jamie to get chilled by sitting on the porch, and the only other alternative was to wait at the house while I was there.
alternative = possibility
Definition
Generally this sense of alternative means:something available as another possibility
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
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anguish
2 uses
I cried out, unable to hide my anguish.
anguish = extreme pain, suffering, or distress
Definition
Generally anguish means:extreme pain, suffering, or distress (of body or mind)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
compose
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
keep your composure
"I'm fine," she said, regaining her composure and keeping the subject on track.
composure = control of emotions
(editor's note: The suffix "-ure" sometimes converts a verb that ends in an "s" sound to a related noun. This pattern is seen is words like pleasure, pressure, and exposure.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-ure" sometimes converts a verb that ends in an "s" sound to a related noun. This pattern is seen is words like pleasure, pressure, and exposure.)
Definition
Generally this sense of compose means:to calm someone or settle something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
comprehend
1 use
The concept was so absolutely foreign that I couldn't comprehend what she was trying to say.
comprehend = understand
Definition
Generally comprehend means:to understand something — especially to understand it completely
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 20 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
congregation
1 use
Now, I knew I hadn't exactly been the most spiritual kid in the congregation, but I still found his behavior sort of odd.
congregation = group of people who worship together in the same building
Definition
Generally this sense of congregation means:people who worship together in the same building
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
dejected
5 uses
"I don't have any money left," I said to her dejectedly.
dejectedly = with low spirits
Definition
Generally dejected means:sad and depressed (seemingly without hope)
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
digress
1 use
But I digress.
digress = wander from the main topic
Definition
Generally digress means:wander from a direct or straight course — typically verbally
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
earnest
2 uses
I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it to the earnestness of others.
earnestness = sincerity or seriousness
(Editor's note: The suffix "-ness" converts an adjective to a noun that means the quality of. This is the same pattern you see in words like darkness, kindness, and coolness.)
(Editor's note: The suffix "-ness" converts an adjective to a noun that means the quality of. This is the same pattern you see in words like darkness, kindness, and coolness.)
Definition
Generally earnest means:characterized by sincere belief
or:
intensely or excessively serious
or:
intensely or excessively serious
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 19 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
elaborate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
elaborate on your plan
She didn't elaborate any further, and I knew right then that she was holding something back, something that she couldn't tell me, something that made her sad as well.
elaborate = add details
Definition
Generally this sense of elaborate means:add details or explain in detail
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
gist
1 use
She didn't say exactly those words, but I got the gist of it.
gist = the main point(s)
Definition
Generally gist means:the main point(s) of a more detailed matter
or:
law: the grounds for a legal action
or:
law: the grounds for a legal action
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
grave
1 use
"Thanks," I said mumbled sheepishly, realizing that Jamie-Jamie!-was the one who'd saved me from grave bodily harm.
grave = serious
Definition
Generally this sense of grave means:serious and/or solemn
The exact meaning of this sense of grave can depend upon its context. For example:
- "This is a grave problem," or "a situation of the utmost gravity." — important, dangerous, or causing worry
- "She was in a grave mood upon returning from the funeral." — sad or solemn
- "She looked me in the eye and gravely promised." — in a sincere and serious manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
lethargic
1 use
Everyone was in motion, working off nervous energy, but she seemed strangely lethargic.
lethargic = without energy
Definition
Generally lethargic means:lacking energy
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
optimistic
2 uses
Her cheerfulness and optimism, even in times of sickness, was the most amazing thing I have ever witnessed.
optimism = tendency to expect and see the best in all things
Definition
Generally optimistic means:expecting the best; or focusing on the good part of things
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
passage
5 uses
Hegbert began the ceremony in the traditional way, then read the passage in the Bible that Jamie had once pointed out to me.†
passage = a short part of a longer written work
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
perspective
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
Keep it in perspective
To put it into perspective, the congressional district that included Beaufort covered the entire eastern part of the state-some twenty thousand square miles-and there wasn't a single town with more than twenty-five thousand people.
perspective = a sensible view
Definition
Generally this sense of perspective means:a sensible view of a situation that considers its different parts in a balanced way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
positive
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
had a positive effect
Again her hair was down, and I took this as a positive sign.†
positive = good
Definition
Generally this sense of positive means:good or beneficial
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
rapt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
rapt attention
...a few of the smaller kids were sitting on the adults' laps, their faces rapt with attention as they listened to 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.
rapt = showing deep interest and focus
Definition
Generally this sense of rapt means:deeply interested and focused (on something) — often while admiring
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
trepidation
2 uses
"Hello, Reverend," I said, swallowing my trepidation.
trepidation = fear
Definition
Generally trepidation means:nervousness (fear or anxiety about what will happen)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
wistful
3 uses
I could see them smiling wistfully at us.
wistfully = with longing (unfulfilled desire)
Definition
Generally wistful means:showing longing or unfulfilled desire
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |