acute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
acute pain
She felt an acute pain in her neck.
acute = sharp (severe or very bad)
Definition
Generally this sense of acute means:sharp (severe or strong) — usually negative
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
anonymous
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an anonymous author
Everyone wonders who has been sending her anonymous love letters.
anonymous = (written by) someone who did not reveal their name or identity
Definition
Generally this sense of anonymous means:an unknown person, or of an unknown person — such as an unknown author, or donation of an unknown person
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
appropriate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
it is appropriate
These clothes aren't appropriate for work.
appropriate = suitable (fitting)
Definition
Generally this sense of appropriate means:suitable (fitting) for a particular situation
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 28 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
compassion
1 use
If I see one hungry child, I feel compassion, but when I hear of a million hungry children, I'm overwhelmed and turn my mind to other things.
compassion = sympathy for another's suffering and wanting to help
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses 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 |
disconcerting
1 use
It was disconcerting to realize the experts don't really understand what is going on either.
disconcerting = disturbing
Definition
Generally disconcerting means:disrupt composure — such as to confuse or worry
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
distort
1 use
These sunglasses distort my vision.
distort = alter in an unnatural or untrue way
Definition
Generally distort means:to alter something in an unnatural or untrue way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
eloquent
1 use
Her eloquence is unquestioned even amongst those who disagree with her.
eloquence = powerful use of language
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
flaunt
1 use
She is more wealthy than her neighbors, but she never flaunts it.
flaunts = shows it off
Definition
Generally flaunt means:the act of showing off (displaying something in an obvious way for others to admire or envy)
or:
openly defiant of rules or expectations
or:
openly defiant of rules or expectations
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
hideous
3 uses
The beast had hideous fangs.
hideous = extremely ugly, offensive, and/or frightening
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
however
5 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
However, complications may...
Most college application deadlines are in January and February. However, early admission deadlines are around November and some scholarships require even earlier deadlines.
however = despite that (a transition word use to connect contrasting ideas)
Definition
Generally this sense of however means:though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas)
(Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that,, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrastand but.)
(Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that,
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 61 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
ingenious
1 use
It is an ingenious solution to the problem. It is as reliable as it is easy.
ingenious = showing cleverness and originality
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
invariably
1 use
I tell myself to go to sleep early, but I invariably end up watching television late into the night.
invariably = almost always
Definition
Generally invariably means:never changing; or always the same
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
loathe
1 use
I make New Year's resolutions every year and then loathe myself for breaking them.
loathe = hate
Definition
Generally loathe means:hate, detest, or intensely dislike
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
moreover
1 use
The company has too much debt. Moreover, it is responsible for a long term lease on expensive office space.
moreover = in addition to what has just been said
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
narrate
2 uses
She narrates the story with the wisdom of an older woman looking back on life.
narrates = writes or tells (a story)
Definition
Generally narrate means:to tell a story-possibly as the main voice in a documentary; or a character who speaks to the audience in a performance
The specific meaning of narrate depends on context. For example:
- "She narrated her story with tears in her eyes." — told a story
- "Her diary chillingly narrates her descent into madness." — tells a story in writing
- "Morgan Freeman narrated the documentary which features historic news reports and interviews." — was the voice that tells a story while tying the scenes of a documentary together
- "The character who plays the Stage Director in Our Town also narrates for the audience." — when an actor in a play, movie, or other performance helps to tell the story by talking directly to the audience (breaking the imaginary barrier between the performers and the audience)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
nonetheless
2 uses
Sometimes she gets angry and loses her temper, but I love her nonetheless.
nonetheless = in spite of that (used to connect contrasting ideas)
Definition
Generally nonetheless means:in spite of that (Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nevertheless, all the same, still, and however.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
ominous
1 use
I'm beginning to hear ominous rumblings of discontent.
ominous = threatening
Definition
Generally ominous means:threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
species
1 use
It is an endangered species.
species = a group of similar animals or plants
Definition
Generally species means:a group of animals or plants that are similar — typically identified as a group because they can procreate together (reproduce new members of the group)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
wistful
1 use
Sitting in her wheelchair, the old woman looked wistfully at the young dancers.
wistfully = showing longing or unfulfilled desire
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |