agitate
1 use
She starts looking agitatedly around the garden as though expecting him to jump out from behind a bush.
agitatedly = without calmness
Definition
Generally agitate means:to stir up or shake — emotionally (as when people are angered or upset) or physically (as when a washing machine cleans clothes)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
approach (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
approached the city
"OK," says Zelda as we approach a set of double swing doors.†
approach = get near
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 104 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
2 —1 use as in:
use the best approach
As you can see, the Foreland Exotic Opportunities Savings Plan represents an entirely new approach to investment.†
approach = 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 2 |
context
1 use
"In a business context," I say, equally shortly.†
context = the setting or situation in which something occurs
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
crucial
5 uses
I mean, some of us have got crucial things we need to be doing.†
crucial = very important
Definition
Generally crucial means:very important or necessary — often because it determines how something else will turn out
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
curt
6 uses
"Fine," says the girl curtly, and swipes the card.†
curtly = in a manner that uses few words or is abrupt and perhaps discourteous or rude
Definition
Generally curt means:brief to the point of rudeness
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
dismay
10 uses
I look at her in dismay.†
dismay = sadness, disappointment, or worry
Definition
Generally dismay means:to feel sadness, disappointment, or worry — typically in response to something surprising
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
dispose
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
disposed the troops along...
2 million shows, I have ample funds at my disposal, which I will shortly be moving to one of your competitors.†
disposal = command
(editor's note: When something is "at someone's disposal" it is "at their command," or "available for their use." They can use it as they please.)
(editor's note: When something is "at someone's disposal" it is "at their command," or "available for their use." They can use it as they please.)
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 13 |
frugal
10 uses
It'll become a habit to be frugal.†
frugal = careful not to waste
Definition
Generally frugal means:avoiding waste — typically being careful not to spend much money
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
hideous
6 uses
How can normal people afford to live in such hideously expensive places?†
hideously = in an extremely ugly, offensive, and/or frightening manner
Definition
Generally hideous means:extremely ugly, offensive, and/or frightening
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
incredulous
8 uses
Suze is gazing at me incredulously.†
incredulously = with disbelief; or with difficulty accepting something so unexpected
Definition
Generally incredulous means:unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
indignant
5 uses
"No it's not!" says Mum indignantly.†
indignantly = with anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong
Definition
Generally indignant means:angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
irony
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
situational irony
That's the irony. If we'd just held on a little bit longer ...
irony = when what happened was very different than what might have been 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 | 1 use |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
irrelevant
2 uses
Magazines are irrelevant in my new life.†
irrelevant = not relevant (not related to the subject being considered, or not important enough to want to consider)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
nevertheless
1 use
Nevertheless—†
nevertheless = in spite of that (used to connect contrasting ideas)
Definition
Generally nevertheless means:in spite of that (Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nonetheless, all the same, still, and however.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
nonchalant
9 uses
Quickly I retrace my steps and walk nonchalantly into the entrance hall, trying to look as though I come here all the time.†
nonchalantly = calmly (appearing unconcerned)
Definition
Generally nonchalant means:calm in manner — appearing unconcerned
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
primarily
1 use
This is primarily because: 1.†
primarily = mainly
Definition
Generally primarily means:mainly (most importantly)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
relevant
1 use
But once you relinquish money altogether, it ceases to have any relevance.†
relevance = importance (meaningful relation to the issue in question)
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 6 |
resignation
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
accepted it with resignation
He gives a resigned shrug and...
resigned = as though having accepted something unpleasant as unavoidable
Definition
Generally this sense of resignation means:acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
retort
8 uses
"Of course Becky doesn't agree with you!" retorts my dad.†
retorts = replies quickly
Definition
Generally this sense of retort means:a quick reply to a question or remark — especially a witty or critical one
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |