abstract
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
abstract thought
And even though I loved my sister had accepted her eccentricities I found it hard to listen to detailed descriptions, abstract ambitions, relevant observations, hers and mine.
abstract = a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
Definition
Generally this sense of abstract means:of a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
animate
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
animated by her strong belief
In fact, she looked quite animated.
animated = lively (enthusiastic or excited)
Definition
Generally this sense of animate means:inspire, make more lively, or bring to life
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
coalesce
1 use
Have You Ever had so much to say that your mouth closed up tight, struggling to harness the nuclear force coalescing within your words?
coalescing = merging or coming together
Definition
Generally coalesce means:to merge or bring different things together
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
contrite
5 uses
The other half told me to shut up, told me to smile, told me to find a hint of contrition and agree, "You're right, Mom, some of my choices haven't been the best lately."
contrition = regret for a fault
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
Definition
Generally contrite means:feeling sorrow or regret for a fault or offense
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
direct (4 meanings)
4 meanings, 5 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
directly above; or buy direct from
But it was just so easy, like fate had mailed it directly to me.†
directly = straight (exactly where stated; used for emphasis)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straight (exactly where stated); or without involvement of anything in between
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "The road runs directly to Las Vegas." — straight (without varying from a straight line)
- "It was a direct hit." — exact
- "The plant is in direct sunlight." — unobstructed (without anything in between)
- "She wants a direct meeting with him." — personal (without other people in between)
- "She paid direct attention to what he was reading." — close
- "a direct gaze" — straight, steady, or focused—not a brief glance taken while generally looking at other things; not a sideways look
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 62 uses in 10 avg bks |
2 —1 use as in:
was direct in my instructions
Damn, direct.†
direct = straightforward (specific and to the point)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straightforward (uncomplicated or simple — perhaps also indicating openness and honesty)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
3 —1 use as in:
directed her question to
She directed us to the elevators.†
directed = pointed
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:to indicate direction; or to cause movement or focus in a direction or towards an object
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "intentionally directed fire at unarmed civilians" — aimed a gun
- "directed the question to her" — aimed a question
- "directed her north" — pointed in a particular direction
- "directed attention to the 3rd paragraph" — focused attention on a particular object
- "The sound of her voice directed him to the kitchen." — guided or gave directions to someone to help them move to a particular place
- "She directed him to the airport." — gave directions to send someone to a particular place
- "She directed the boat north." — steered it
- "directed the letter to" — send a letter to a particular person by putting a name and address on it
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 36 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
4 —1 use as in:
directed the jury to...
Direct Jake to dump the wheelbarrow.†
direct = instruct
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:give instructions or commands
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
disdain
1 use
I knew my family would be waiting to share news of the day. The very monotony I had lately disdained cried out to me: I am essential. Without me you will wither,
disdained = rejected as not good enough
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 |
factor
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
It was the deciding factor.
We were best buds, no matter what, and, of course, there was the Leigh factor.†
factor = something that affects a result or outcome
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
induce
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
induce symptoms
...while my own speed-induced body odor reeked ever stronger,
induced = caused
Definition
Generally this sense of induce means:to cause something to arise or happen
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
indulge
4 uses
Whatever choices I made, Jake would indulge in the latest video games.
indulge = enjoy to excess
Definition
Generally indulge means:to give into a desire or enjoy something — especially in excess of what is thought good—such as a desire to eat too much cake, or be too lazy
or:
to allow or help someone to get their way or enjoy something — especially something that (probably because of excess) is not considered to be good or proper
or:
to allow or help someone to get their way or enjoy something — especially something that (probably because of excess) is not considered to be good or proper
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
intrusion
3 uses
...and ungodly neon intruding upon the beauty of the July dusk,
intruding = interrupting
Definition
Generally intrusion means:an involvement or interruption that is unwelcome
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
monotonous
2 uses
I knew my family would be waiting to share news of the day. The very monotony I had lately disdained cried out to me: I am essential. Without me you will wither,
monotony = lack of variety (consistent pattern)
Definition
Generally monotonous means:lacking in variety — typically boring
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
negative (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
had a negative effect
And the only one who knew every little negative, dirty thing would have forgiven me anything.†
negative = bad
Definition
Generally this sense of negative means:bad or harmful
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
2 —1 use as in:
negative feedback from customers
And he accepted my negative answer with a smile that meant he didn't believe a word.†
negative = indicating an answer of "no"
Definition
Generally this sense of negative means:to express criticism or disagreement, or (especially when talking over a radio or in a military setting) to say "no"
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
perspective
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
Keep it in perspective
Okay, Over the Last Few Years I may have gained a little perspective.
perspective = a sensible view of a situation
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 |
relevant
1 use
And even though I loved my sister had accepted her eccentricities I found it hard to listen to detailed descriptions, abstract ambitions, relevant observations, hers and mine.
relevant = relating in a meaningful way to the issue in question
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
remorse
3 uses
Why do they make you wait so long, trembling in the shadow of fear and remorse?
remorse = feeling of deep regret for doing something that was wrong
Definition
Generally remorse means:a feeling of deep regret for doing something that was wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
trepidation
3 uses
I made the call with trepidation but...
trepidation = nervousness
Definition
Generally trepidation means:nervousness (fear or anxiety about what will happen)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |