grave
1 use
Her smile disappeared as she suddenly realized the gravity of her situation.
gravity = seriousness or importance (weightiness)
Definition
Generally this sense of grave means:serious and/or solemn
The exact meaning of this sense of grave can depend upon its context. For example:
- "This is a grave problem," or "a situation of the utmost gravity." — important, dangerous, or causing worry
- "She was in a grave mood upon returning from the funeral." — sad or solemn
- "She looked me in the eye and gravely promised." — in a sincere and serious manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
inclined
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
on an incline or incline his head
I climbed down the incline.
incline = something that is at an angle (in this case, probably sloping land)
Definition
Generally this sense of incline means:to be at an angle or to bend
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
limber
1 use
Yoga has helped me to become more limber.
limber = flexible
Definition
Generally this sense of limber means:of a person's body: flexible (capable of moving, bending, and stretching easily)
or:
readily adaptable — especially of someone's mind
or:
readily adaptable — especially of someone's mind
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
obstinate
1 use
She is an obstinate child who will not follow the family rules.
obstinate = stubbornly not doing what others want
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
persistent
1 use
She has a persistent cough.
persistent = continuing
Definition
Generally persistent means:continuing — especially despite difficulties or opposition
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
ravine
1 use
The car plunged into a 15-foot ravine.
ravine = deep, narrow, steep-sided valley
Definition
Generally ravine means:a deep narrow steep-sided valley — especially one formed by running water
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
solemn
1 use
He took a solemn oath.
solemn = very serious
Definition
Generally solemn means:in a very serious (and often dignified) manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 20 uses in 10 avg bks |
utter
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
utter stupidity
She suffered utter devastation when her child died in the accident.
utter = complete
Definition
Generally this sense of utter means:complete or total (used as an intensifier—typically when stressing how bad something is)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 26 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
wither
1 use
The grapes withered on the vine.
withered = shriveled (wrinkled as they dried out)
Definition
Generally wither means:to shrivel (wrinkle and contract — usually from lack of water)
or:
to become weaker; or feel humiliated
or:
to become weaker; or feel humiliated
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |