abrupt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an abrupt change
The bus came to an abrupt stop.
abrupt = sudden and unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
acquaint
2 uses
You should acquaint yourself with the new computer program.
acquaint = cause to know better
Definition
Generally acquaint means:to cause to know; or to cause to be familiar with
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
acute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
acute sense of smell
Dogs have an acute sense of smell.
acute = excellent (highly perceptive)
Definition
Generally this sense of acute means:sharp (highly perceptive in some area or mentally sharp)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
appendage
1 use
Each injured an appendage in the game.
appendage = an external body part (such as an arm) that projects from the body
Definition
Generally appendage means:an external body part (such as an arm) that projects from the body; or any part that is joined to something larger
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
articulate
1 use
He is thoughtful and articulate.
articulate = has the ability to clearly express things with words
Definition
Generally this sense of articulate means:the act of or ability of clearly expressing with words; or to clearly express with words
The exact meaning of this sense of articulate depends upon its context. For example:
- "She is articulate and persuasive." — well-spoken (expresses her ideas clearly)
- "She articulated what everyone was thinking." — said aloud
- "After the stroke, she had to learn to articulate her consonants." — speak distinctly (so each word can be understood)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
candid
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
your candid opinion
Don't worry about my feelings. I'd like your candid opinion.
candid = honest and direct
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
cunning
1 use
She came up with a cunning scheme to cheat him.
cunning = clever and deceitful
Definition
Generally this sense of cunning means:being good at achieving goals through cleverness — and typically through deception as well (tricking others)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
dissonance
1 use
I find the dissonance in her music disturbing.
dissonance = conflicting sounds
Definition
Generally dissonance means:not going well together; or conflict
especially in these two senses:
- unpleasant musical sound
- inconsistency or conflict between beliefs and actions such as voluntarily taking actions that conflict with beliefs, or holding two conflicting beliefs (also called "cognitive dissonance")
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
ecstatic
1 use
They are ecstatically in love.
ecstatically = with feelings of intense happiness
Definition
Generally ecstatic means:feeling intense happiness and excitement (as when in a state of ecstasy)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
incessant
1 use
She grew annoyed by the child's incessant questions.
incessant = continuous
Definition
Generally incessant means:continuous — often in an annoying way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
inclined
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
I'm inclined to
I'm inclined to believe him.
inclined = have a tendency; or an attitude or mood that favors something
Definition
Generally this sense of inclined means:a tendency, mood, desire, or attitude that favors something; or making someone favor something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
inscribe
3 uses
The ring was inscribed with these words...
inscribed = written upon
Definition
Generally inscribe means:to write
in various senses, including:
- to write, carve, or etch words onto something's surface — as in "The names of the major donors will be inscribed on the front wall."
- to write a signed message and/or signature — as in "She inscribed the book with the message: I know this story will speak to your heart. Love Emma"
- to write down something when adding it to a list — as in "Their names were inscribed in the register of at Ellis Island."
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
opaque
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
opaque explanation
We made a game of guessing at the meaning of her opaque lyrics.
opaque = difficult or impossible to understand
Definition
Generally this sense of opaque means:difficult or impossible to understand — especially due to complexity or obscurity
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
poise
1 use
She has great charm and great poise.
poise = composure (calm confidence — even when under pressure)
Definition
Generally poise means:calm and in control — as in "shows poise under pressure"
and/or:
prepared for action — as in "poised for action" — (sometimes suspended or hovering as in "a finger poised over the mute button")
and/or:
confident and graceful in movement — as in "the poise and balance of a dancer"
and/or:
prepared for action — as in "poised for action" — (sometimes suspended or hovering as in "a finger poised over the mute button")
and/or:
confident and graceful in movement — as in "the poise and balance of a dancer"
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
prolific
2 uses
She is a prolific artist.
prolific = producing abundantly
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
resolve
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
I resolved to stop drinking.
This year I resolved to lose a pound a week for 5 weeks.
resolved = decided
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:to decide — typically a firm or formal decision
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
squalid
2 uses
She lives in a squalid overcrowded apartment in the poorest part of town.
squalid = dirty and unpleasant
Definition
Generally squalid means:dirty and unpleasant; or (more rarely) immoral
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
squalor
5 uses
To meet her today, you would never guess she lived in squalor as a child.
squalor = extremely dirty and unpleasant living conditions
Definition
Generally squalor means:(describing a place) extremely dirty and unpleasant — typically due to poverty
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
superficial
1 use
She has only superficial knowledge on the subject.
superficial = shallow
Definition
Generally superficial means:relating to a surface rather than to anything deep or penetrating (often of injuries or thinking)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
trifle
5 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
a trifling matter
We all agree with the goal, but how to achieve it is not a trifling matter.
trifling = small (of little importance)
Definition
Generally this sense of trifle means:something of small importance; or a small quantity
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |