alternative
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an alternative plan
Let's think of at least three alternatives before we decide what to do.
alternatives = possibilities
Definition
Generally this sense of alternative means:something available as another possibility
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
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apprentice
13 uses
She is a carpenter's apprentice.
apprentice = one who works for an expert to learn a trade
Definition
Generally apprentice means:one who works for an expert to learn a trade; or (as a verb) performance of that kind of work
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
attain
1 use
She was the first woman to attain the rank of general.
attain = gain or reach something with effort
Definition
Generally attain means:to gain or reach something with effort
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
chagrin
2 uses
I bragged about how good our team was and then, much to my chagrin, we lost.
chagrin = bad feeling such as embarrassment or disappointment
Definition
Generally chagrin means:a bad feeling such as embarrassment, disappointment, or annoyance — especially due to a disconcerting event, mistake or other blow to the ego
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
chasm
4 uses
You can't leap a twenty-foot chasm with two 10-foot jumps.
chasm = a large, deep, and steep-sided opening on the earth's surface
Definition
Generally chasm means:a large and deep and steep-sided opening on the earth's surface; or (more rarely) any large gap
or:
a very large difference — often of opinion
or:
a very large difference — often of opinion
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
concur
2 uses
We concur on the action to be taken; though we disagree on the reasons.
concur = agree
Definition
Generally this sense of concur means:to agree
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
condescending
4 uses
She gave me that condescending look as though I wasn't worthy to ask her a question.
condescending = treating others as inferior
Definition
Generally condescending means:treating others as inferior; or doing something considered beneath one's position or dignity
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
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 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
deference
1 use
They changed their strategy in deference to the President's wishes.
deference = respect
Definition
Generally deference means:polite respect — often when submitting to another's wishes
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
descend
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
descend from royalty
She descended from an old Italian noble family.
descended = came from (had as an ancestor)
Definition
Generally this sense of descend means:figuratively, to have come down a path from the past; i.e., to originate or come from — such as in reference to ancestors or evolutionary origins
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
disdain
1 use
She tries to be polite, but cannot hide her disdain for authority.
disdain = lack of respect
Definition
Generally disdain means:a lack of respect — often suggesting distaste and an undeserved sense of superiority
or:
to reject as not good enough
or:
to reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
flaunt
2 uses
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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
inquiry
2 uses
They created a commission of inquiry to look into the matter.
inquiry = investigation
Definition
Generally inquiry means:the act of asking a question or performing an investigation
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
motivation
1 use
A generous commission structure provides motivation to our salespeople.
motivation = reason for doing something
Definition
Generally motivation means:the reason for doing something; or the level of desire to do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
optimistic
4 uses
I'm optimistic that I'll get into a good college.
optimistic = expecting the best
Definition
Generally optimistic means:expecting the best; or focusing on the good part of things
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
persist
4 uses
The child persisted in asking questions despite my obvious desire to be left alone.
persisted = continued
Definition
Generally persist means:to continue — often despite difficulty
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
plausible
1 use
She offered a plausible excuse.
plausible = sounding reasonable
Definition
Generally plausible means:apparently reasonable, but unproven
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
scorn
1 use
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
scorned = rejected
Definition
Generally scorn means:disrespect or reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
sulk
5 uses
She was disappointed and retreated to her room to sulk.
sulk = to overly indulge in being unhappy and unsociable
Definition
Generally sulk means:to be overly unhappy and unsociable — often due to disappointment or a sense of not getting what was deserved
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
tact
1 use
She has the tact of a politician or diplomat.
tact = the ability and tendency to say or handle things in such a way that others feel good about them
Definition
Generally tact means:the ability or act of saying or handling things in such a way that others feel good about them
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |