acute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
acute sense of smell
he was acutely aware of what good publicity could do for him and his practice.
acutely = very (highly perceptive of)
Definition
Generally this sense of acute means:sharp (highly perceptive in some area or mentally sharp)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
ailment
2 uses
A benign cyst, it wasn't a life-threatening ailment, but it was unsightly, to say the least.†
ailment = illness
Definition
Generally ailment means:an illness
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
collide
2 uses
The waves were roiling in from two different directions, sending up plumes as they collided.†
collided = crashed together with violent impact; or came into conflict
Definition
Generally collide means:crash together with violent impact; or come into conflict
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
contradict
1 use
Paul hesitated, He didn't have to explain himself, not to her, not to anyone, but as he walked on under the flickering sky on a cold January evening, he suddenly realized that he wanted her to know him—really know him, in all his contradictions.†
contradictions = things that disagree with themselves; or (more rarely) acts of disagreeing
(editor's note: The suffix "-tions", converts a verb into a plural noun that denotes results of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in actions, illustrations, and observations.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tions", converts a verb into a plural noun that denotes results of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in actions, illustrations, and observations.)
Definition
Generally contradict means:disagree
in various senses, including:
- to say something is not true — as in "She contradicted his testimony."
- to say something else is true when both can't be true — as in "I don't believe her. She contradicted herself as she told us what happened."
- to be in conflict with — as in "Her assertions contradict accepted scientific principles."
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
dubious
1 use
Dan looked at her, his expression dubious, Amanda didn't seem to notice.†
dubious = doubtful; or suspicious; or full of uncertainty — sometimes to indicate that something described as good is actually bad
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 18 |
evaluate
2 uses
As a result, she found herself evaluating him in the way strangers often do.†
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 5 |
haphazard
2 uses
There were three cars out front parked haphazardly, each coated with a thin layer of salt.†
haphazardly = without pattern or planning
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
imply
1 use
There was an implied familiarity to it that left her slightly off balance.†
implied = suggested (said indirectly)
Definition
Generally imply means:to suggest or say indirectly — possibly as a logical consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
incessant
3 uses
People nowadays talked incessantly about the glories of youth, but Adrienne had no desire to be young again.†
incessantly = continuously
Definition
Generally incessant means:continuous — often in an annoying way
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
irony
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
situational irony
Ironically, Linda had left him for another man,
ironically = 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 16 |
melancholy
3 uses
The lines in his face, grown deep over the years, were still prominent, but the intensity he once saw in his reflection had been replaced with a sort of weary melancholy.†
melancholy = a sad feeling or manner
Definition
Generally melancholy means:a sad feeling or manner — sometimes thoughtfully sad
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
naive
2 uses
In the eyes of her children, she was kind but predictable, sweet and stable, a friendly soul from another era who'd made her way through life with her naive view of the world intact.†
naive = lacking experience or sophistication, and the understanding that comes from them — often too trusting or optimistic
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
nonetheless
4 uses
Though worried about the frantic pace he held himself to, she nonetheless accepted his proposal, and they walked the aisle ten months later.†
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 | 4 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
nostalgia
2 uses
Remembering those days always aroused a mixture of emotions in her—something akin to, but not quite, nostalgia.†
nostalgia = 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 1 |
oblivious
2 uses
"What you need is a long, hot, relaxing bath," she'd say, oblivious to the fact that there were three kids in the house who monopolized the bathrooms and that Adrienne's schedule didn't allow for much free time.†
oblivious = unaware of
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
perceptive
1 use
"You're pretty perceptive."†
perceptive = to be better at noticing or realizing things than most people
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
perfunctory
2 uses
Other than perfunctory questions as to how school was going or what was happening in the fields, dinners were punctuated only by the sounds of silverware tapping against the plates.†
perfunctory = done without much interest or effort — especially as when dispensing with a formality
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
rectify
1 use
The clinic is short of just about everything— medicine, equipment, and the necessary beds—but I spoke to the director and I think I'll be able to rectify at least part of the problem.
rectify = fix
Definition
Generally this sense of rectify means:correct, fix, or make right
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
subsequent
1 use
She did the same with each subsequent letter, and as they began to arrive regularly, she realized that the message in Paul's note had been true.†
subsequent = following something else
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
wistful
2 uses
Adrienne smiled wistfully.†
wistfully = with longing or unfulfilled desire
Definition
Generally wistful means:showing longing or unfulfilled desire
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |