approach
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
use the best approach
Perhaps I just need to work harder, but I may need an entirely different approach to the problem.
approach = method (way of doing something)
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:a way of doing something; or a route that leads to a particular place
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
arrogant
5 uses
She is rude and arrogant.
arrogant = with an excessive sense of superiority
Definition
Generally arrogant means:having an excessive sense of superiority
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
byline
2 uses
They moved her byline from the bottom of the article to the top.
byline = printed line giving the name of the writer of an article
Definition
Generally this sense of byline means:a line giving the name of the writer of an article — typically at the top of the article
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
cadaver
1 use
A cadaver is assigned to each medical student.
cadaver = dead human body
Definition
Generally cadaver means:the dead body of a human being — especially one used for medical study
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
condescending
2 uses
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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
convention
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
conventional behavior
It was once conventional wisdom that the earth is flat.
conventional = normal
Definition
Generally this sense of convention means:something regarded as normal or typical
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
dispose
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
disposed the troops along...
Troops were disposed strategically along the northern border.
disposed = placed
Definition
Generally this sense of dispose means:the arrangement, positioning, or use of things
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
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 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
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 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
evaluate
1 use
I'm evaluating colleges and deciding which I want to apply to.
evaluating = thinking carefully and making a judgment about
Definition
Generally evaluate means:to think carefully and make a judgment about something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
haughty
5 uses
It is a story about a haughty princess who has a great fall.
haughty = arrogant or condescending (acting superior or self-important)
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Pro. |
hypnotize
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
hypnotized to try to remember
I want to be hypnotized and given the suggestion that I don't like to snack on fattening foods.
hypnotized = put into a trance-like state of focused concentration and heightened suggestibility (a state of hypnosis)
Definition
Generally this sense of hypnotize means:to put someone into a state of hypnosis (a trance-like state of focused concentration and heightened suggestibility)
(Heightened suggestibility means that the hypnotized person is more inclined to accept and act on suggestions of the hypnotist.)
(Heightened suggestibility means that the hypnotized person is more inclined to accept and act on suggestions of the hypnotist.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
irony
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
situational irony
She didn't see the irony in acting like the mother she detested.
irony = 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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
jurisdiction
5 uses
The state court has jurisdiction on this matter — not the federal court.
jurisdiction = the authority to apply the law
Definition
Generally jurisdiction means:the authority to make decisions or apply the law; or the territory subject to such authority
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
Nairobi
1 use
We flew from London to Nairobi and then took a small plane to our camp.
Nairobi = the capital and largest city of Kenya; a center for tourist safaris
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
phenomenon
1 use
It is a growing social phenomenon on high school campuses.
phenomenon = something that is of special interest
Definition
Generally phenomenon means:something that exists or happened — especially something of special interest — sometimes someone or something that is extraordinary
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
probe
4 uses
There was a congressional probe into the scandal.
probe = investigation
Definition
Generally probe means:to investigate; or an investigation
or:
any of various instrument used for investigation
or:
any of various instrument used for investigation
instruments such as:
- an instrument to measure electronic voltage
- a surgical tool used for examination
- an unmanned spacecraft used for exploration
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
relentless
6 uses
My headache is relentless.
relentless = continues in an extreme manner without stopping
Definition
Generally relentless means:to continue without stopping in an extreme manner — often of something that is harsh or oppressive
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
relevant
1 use
Shannon tells an interesting story, but it's not relevant to the decision we have to make.
relevant = important (related in a meaningful way)
Definition
Generally relevant means: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 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
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 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |