abrupt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an abrupt change
It was evident that the young man was now reaching some sort of decision, for he abruptly took his foot down from the railing.
abruptly = suddenly and unexpectedly
Definition
Generally this sense of abrupt means:sudden and unexpected
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
brusque
1 use
"If you'd rather not discuss this, you don't have to," Nicholson said abruptly, and rather brusquely.†
brusquely = abruptly (suddenly and quickly — without taking the time to be friendly)
Definition
Generally brusque means:abrupt (sudden and quick — without taking the time to be friendly)
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
condolence
1 use
Write condolence letter to Dr. Wokawara about his nephritis.†
condolence = expression of sympathy
Definition
Generally condolence means:an expression of sympathy to another who is in sorrow — typically in grief over a death in the family
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
context
2 uses
It's mostly that you have to put everything in context.†
in context = with consideration of surrounding setting and conditions
Definition
Generally context means:the setting or situation in which something occurs
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 100 |
controversial
1 use
It is quite controversial and Mrs. Mandell is a poet besides.†
controversial = tending to arouse strong disagreement
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
entity
1 use
He shifted in his seat and took out an eyesore of a handkerchief—a gray, wadded entity—and blew his nose.†
entity = person, organization, or anything with a separate existence
Definition
Generally entity means:a person, organization, lifeform, or anything with a separate existence
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 500 |
however
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
However, complications may...
However, he spotted someone who looked able to guide him.†
however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
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 | 4 uses |
Library | 61 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 100 |
incarnate
3 uses
But I wouldn't have had to get incarnated in an American body if I hadn't met that lady.†
incarnated = embodied
Definition
Generally incarnate means:embody (made real in a material sense) — especially in the form of a human body, but sometimes figuratively
Word Statistics
Book | 3 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
inquiry
1 use
Teddy turned around at the waist, without changing the vigilant position of his feet on the Gladstone, and gave his father a look of inquiry, whole and pure.†
inquiry = questioning or investigating
Definition
Generally inquiry means:the act of asking a question or performing an investigation
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 1000 |
meander
1 use
I don't want her meandering all around the deck chairs again, bothering people.†
meandering = moving slowly in a winding or indefinite direction
Definition
Generally meander means:to move slowly in a winding or indefinite direction — (often said of a river, or path, or conversation)
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
nonetheless
1 use
Nonetheless, he was well within hearing of his father's voice—his father's voice, that is, most singularly.†
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 | 1 use |
Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 2000 |
objective
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an objective viewpoint
Teddy glanced briefly, objectively, at Myron.
objectively = in an unbiased manner (without the influence of personal feelings or preferences)
Definition
Generally this sense of objective means:fact-based without the influence of personal feelings or preferences
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 500 |
oblivious
1 use
Teddy seemed oblivious of the fact that someone was standing at the foot of his chair—or, for that matter, casting a shadow over his notebook.†
oblivious = unaware of
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
precarious
1 use
Teddy was not leaning out of the porthole quite so far or so precariously as small boys are apt to lean out of open portholes—both his feet, in fact, were flat on the surface of the Gladstone—but neither was he just conservatively well-tipped; his face was considerably more outside than inside the cabin.†
precariously = in an unsafe or unsure manner
Definition
Generally precarious means:unsafe or in danger of getting worse — especially in danger of falling
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
preside
1 use
At the Main Deck landing, he went directly over to the Purser's desk, where a good-looking girl in naval uniform was presiding at the moment.†
presiding = in charge (with highest authority); or heads; or chairs
Definition
Generally preside means:to be in charge; or to head; or to be the chairperson — especially of a formal meeting or ceremony
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
primarily
1 use
Aren't emotions what poets are primarily concerned with?†
primarily = mainly
Definition
Generally primarily means:mainly (most importantly)
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 100 |
sacrilege
2 uses
Absolute sacrilege.†
sacrilege = disrespect of something others consider important or sacred
Word Statistics
Book | 2 uses |
Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
sensuous
1 use
Nicholson, looking detached, was using his right hand to give himself a slow, sensuous massage at the back of the neck.
sensuous = relating to pleasure from the body's senses rather than from the intellect
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
serene
1 use
It was, of course, a normal, adult-size deck chair, and he looked distinctly small in it, but at the same time, he looked perfectly relaxed, even serene.†
serene = calm and untroubled
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
tentative
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
said it tentatively
He sat down, tentatively, on the extended leg attachment of his chair,
tentatively = carefully
Definition
Generally this sense of tentative means:done in a careful or unsure way (indicating a lack of confidence in exactly what will happen)
Word Statistics
Book | 1 use |
Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
SAT®* | top 500 |