adapt
1 use
1 —1 use 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 | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
alternative
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an alternative plan
Let's think of at least three alternatives before we decide what to do.
alternatives = possibilities
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 |
Web Links
analysis
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
analysis of relevant data
According to my analysis, we should focus on improving customer service.
analysis = detailed examination
Definition
Generally this sense of analysis means:the process or result of examining and thinking about something to better understand it
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
chastise
2 uses
She said the United Nations resolution amounted to chastising Israel for wanting to exist.
chastising = criticizing
Definition
Generally chastise means:to scold or criticize
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
condescending
1 use
She gave me that condescending look as though I wasn't worthy to ask her a question.
condescending = treating others as inferior
Definition
Generally condescending means:treating others as inferior; or doing something considered beneath one's position or dignity
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
consequence
2 uses
1 —2 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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 28 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
contrast
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
contrast their writing styles
Contrast winter in Panama with winter in Alaska.
contrast = point to differences between
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:point to differences between; or compare to show differences
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
disdain
1 use
She tries to be polite, but cannot hide her disdain for authority.
disdain = lack of respect
Definition
Generally disdain means:a lack of respect — often suggesting distaste and an undeserved sense of superiority
or:
to reject as not good enough
or:
to reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
elaborate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
elaborate on your plan
Please elaborate on the reasons you think this is the best plan.
elaborate = explain in detail
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 |
enable
2 uses
The test enables earlier identification of autism.
enables = makes possible
Definition
Generally enable means:to make possible
in various senses, including:
- to give someone the ability, knowledge, or authority to do something — as in "The study will enable an informed discussion."
- to activate a computer system for use — as in "You can enable the feature in the Settings Page."
- to permit someone to repeat bad behavior, so they reinforce the bad pattern — as in "I don't want to enable her drug addiction."
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
hideous
5 uses
The beast had hideous fangs.
hideous = extremely ugly, offensive, and/or frightening
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
illustrate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
as illustrated by this example
Pictures of flooding help to illustrate the problem of global warming.
illustrate = make clear
Definition
Generally this sense of illustrate means:to help make clear — typically by example
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
immodest
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
immodest dress
She was sent home from school for dressing too immodestly.
immodestly = in a sexually suggestive manner
Definition
Generally this sense of immodest means:considered improper — especially too sexually suggestive which is typically said of clothing
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
incredulous
4 uses
I find it incredulous that you believe she is sincere.
incredulous = difficult to believe
Definition
Generally incredulous means:unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
irony
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
verbal irony
She was being ironic when she said she couldn't wait to see you again.
ironic = saying one thing, while meaning the opposite
Definition
Generally this sense of irony means:saying one thing, while meaning the opposite or something else — usually as humor or sarcasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
Monsieur
35 uses
Monsieur and Madame Curie studied radium.
Monsieur = Mr. (in French)
Definition
Generally this sense of Monsieur means:French equivalent to the English Mr.
or:
French equivalent to saying sir in English (a polite way to address a male)
or:
French equivalent to saying sir in English (a polite way to address a male)
Word Statistics
| Book | 35 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
peasant
7 uses
Most people in the Middle Ages were peasants.
peasants = an historical term describing people of low income, education, and social standing
Definition
Generally peasant means:used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: a person of low income, education, and social standing — especially one who raises crops or livestock
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
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 |
subsequent
1 use
Her guess was proven right by subsequent developments.
subsequent = following
Definition
Generally subsequent means:following something else
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
thesis
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
her Master's thesis
Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan's undergraduate thesis was a detailed history of the rise and fall of New York's Socialist Party in the early 20th Century.
thesis = a formal and lengthy research paper advancing a new point of view — usually a requirement for an advanced academic degree
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |