abyss
3 uses
At the end of the story, Gandalf falls with the demon into the abyss.
abyss = seemingly bottomless pit
Definition
Generally abyss means:a hole or dropoff so deep the bottom cannot be seen — often used figuratively to imply a frightening bottomless pit
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
adorn
3 uses
The women adorned themselves with shell necklaces.
adorned = decorated
Definition
Generally adorn means:to decorate — especially a person
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
anguish
3 uses
I felt unbearable anguish when my 4-year-old child died from brain cancer.
anguish = extreme pain
Definition
Generally anguish means:extreme pain, suffering, or distress (of body or mind)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
bequeath
1 use
It is our duty to bequeath a better world to our grandchildren.
bequeath = pass down
Definition
Generally bequeath means:give or pass down — often upon death in a will
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
contempt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
feels contempt towards her
Familiarity breeds contempt.
contempt = lack of respect
Definition
Generally this sense of contempt means:lack of respect for someone or something thought inferior — often accompanied by a feeling of dislike or disgust
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
dwell
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
a modest dwelling
There is a second dwelling unit on the property.
dwelling = home
Definition
Generally this sense of dwelling means:a house or shelter in which someone lives
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
earnest
1 use
I began training in earnest the summer before high school.
in earnest = in a serious manner
Definition
Generally earnest means:characterized by sincere belief
or:
intensely or excessively serious
or:
intensely or excessively serious
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 19 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
endure (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
endured the pain
I endured insult and injury without complaint.
endured = suffered through
Definition
Generally this sense of endure means:to suffer through (or put up with something difficult or unpleasant)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 18 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
2 —1 use as in:
endure through the ages
She is gone, but her teachings endure through the ages.
endure = continue to exist
Definition
Generally this sense of endure means:to continue to exist
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
establish
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
establish a positive tone
Which word choice best maintains the tone established in the first paragraph?
established = created
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
hideous
6 uses
The beast had hideous fangs.
hideous = extremely ugly, offensive, and/or frightening
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
hoard
8 uses
They found a 7th century hoard of treasure.
hoard = a collection of valuable things
Definition
Generally hoard means:to gather something valuable and store it; or a collection of such things
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
imply
1 use
She wouldn't make a direct statement, but she implied that she supported our position.
implied = hinted or suggested
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 |
prudent
3 uses
She was promoted to manager because she is so prudent.
prudent = sensible and careful
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
scorn
4 uses
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
scorned = rejected
Definition
Generally scorn means:disrespect or reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
tumult
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
couldn't hear over the tumult
The announcement was greeted with such a tumult that the speaker couldn't be heard.
tumult = loud disorderly noise
Definition
Generally this sense of tumult means:loud noise — usually created by an unrestrained crowd or some kind of confusion
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
valor
9 uses
She received a medal for valor.
valor = courage (exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger — especially in battle)
Definition
Generally valor means:exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger — especially in battle
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
wrath
9 uses
She could hardly contain her wrath when she learned he had betrayed her.
wrath = extreme anger
Definition
Generally wrath means:extreme anger or angry punishment
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
wrought (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
wrought iron
The windows have decorative wrought iron bars for security.
wrought = worked or crafted
Definition
Generally this sense of wrought means:worked — as when iron is shaped to fit by bending or beating
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
2 —1 use as in:
the damage she has wrought
The town still hasn't recovered from the damage wrought by the hurricane.
wrought = caused (made to happen)
Definition
Generally this sense of wrought means:caused to happen or occurred as a consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |