affectation
2 uses
She is comfortable in her own skin and meets strangers without affectation.
affectation = behaving in an artificial way to make an impression
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.13 |
aggrieve
1 use
He fears a lawsuit from one of the aggrieved parties.
aggrieved = feeling harmed from unfair treatment
Definition
Generally aggrieve means:feeling harmed by unfair treatment; or (more rarely) harming someone unfairly
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.13 |
antediluvian
1 use
Someone needs to replace her and her antediluvian ideas.
antediluvian = ancient
Definition
Generally antediluvian means:very old; or relating to the period before the biblical flood
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.9 |
arable
1 use
China has almost 20% of the world's population, but has only 7% of its arable land.
arable = capable of being farmed productively
Definition
Generally arable means:of land: capable of being farmed productively
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.10 |
arbiter
1 use
She was the final arbiter on all matters of fashion.
arbiter = someone who settles disputes — often because of reputation
Definition
Generally arbiter means:someone who settles disputes — often because of reputation
or:
someone chosen to judge and decide a disputed issue
or:
someone chosen to judge and decide a disputed issue
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.2 |
atrophy
1 use
Muscles that are not used will quickly atrophy.
atrophy = wither or weaken — especially from lack of use
Definition
Generally atrophy means:to wither or weaken — especially from lack of use
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.11 |
banal
1 use
The movie was banal, but it led to a fascinating conversation.
banal = uninteresting due to a lack of anything original or unusual
Definition
Generally banal means:uninteresting due to a lack of anything original or unusual
(editor's note: This word is correctly pronounced differently by various educated speakers of American English.)
(editor's note: This word is correctly pronounced differently by various educated speakers of American English.)
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.4 |
calumny
1 use
He denied all such allegations as "lies, calumny, and manipulation."
calumny = false accusations
Definition
Generally calumny means:false accusation against a person
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.2 |
carouse
1 use
They were out carousing last night.
carousing = having fun in a noisy manner while drinking alcohol
Definition
Generally carouse means:having fun with others in a noisy manner while drinking alcohol
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.17 |
conducive
1 use
The dorm room was not conducive to studying.
conducive = helpful
Definition
Generally conducive means:contribute (help lead to a result)
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 2.14 |
diffident
3 uses
She is diffident around adults, but dominant with her peer group.
diffident = hesitant and unassertive
Definition
Generally diffident means:hesitant and unassertive — often due to a lack of self-confidence
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
foreshadow
1 use
The author is known for creative use of foreshadowing.
foreshadowing = using events as signs of future events
Definition
Generally foreshadow means:to be a sign of future events
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 500 |
1st use | Chapter 2.6 |
inarticulate
2 uses
She becomes inarticulate when she's nervous.
inarticulate = unable to express herself clearly
Definition
Generally inarticulate means:unable to communicate clearly (or to use words)
or (more rarely): a feeling or idea that is not expressed
or (more rarely): a feeling or idea that is not expressed
The exact meaning of inarticulate depends upon its context. For example:
- unable to find good words to express oneself — as in "She gets inarticulate when she's nervous."
- verbally expressing a feeling without words — as in "She uttered an inarticulate cry of despair."
- unable to make oneself heard and understood — as in "She mumbled inarticulately."
- unable to speak — as in "She was inarticulate with rage."
- a feeling or idea that is not expressed — as in "We shared an inarticulate fear."
- inability to express or understand feelings or ideas — as in "She is emotionally inarticulate, " or "Her symphony is inarticulate."
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.5 |
inveterate
3 uses
She's an inveterate gossip.
inveterate = habitual
Definition
Generally inveterate means:habitual; or something of long standing
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.1 |
misanthrope
2 uses
Homer Simpson's boss is a greedy misanthrope.
misanthrope = person who dislikes other people
Definition
Generally misanthrope means:someone who dislikes people — and often distrusts them
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.4 |
naivete
3 uses
She criticized the naivete of American foreign policy.
naivete = lack of sophistication
Definition
Generally naivete means:inexperience, innocence, or lack of sophistication
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.5 |
repudiate
2 uses
The parents repudiated their son.
repudiated = strongly rejected
Definition
Generally repudiate means:strong rejection — especially when the idea or thing being rejected was once embraced
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
1st use | Chapter 2.13 |
supercilious
2 uses
I have come to hate her supercilious smile.
supercilious = arrogant
Definition
Generally supercilious means:arrogant (acting as if better, more important, and superior in ideas than others)
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.11 |
superfluous
5 uses
Eliminate superfluous words.
superfluous = more than is needed, desired, or required
Word Statistics
Book | 5 uses |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 1.2 |
timorous
3 uses
She was timorous as a mouse.
timorous = timid
Definition
Generally timorous means:timid (fearful) or shy
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
1st use | Chapter 2.12 |