amorous
1 use
She rejected his amorous advances.
amorous = romantic or sexual
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
arable
2 uses
China has almost 20% of the world's population, but has only 7% of its arable land.
arable = capable of being farmed productively
Definition
Generally arable means:of land: capable of being farmed productively
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
archaic
1 use
When I first started reading Shakespeare, it seemed archaic.
archaic = so extremely old as to seem to belong to an earlier period
Definition
Generally archaic means:so extremely old as to seem to belong to an earlier period; or obsolete
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
caustic
1 use
Don't get it on your skin. It's caustic.
caustic = harsh or capable of hurting skin (like a strong acid)
Definition
Generally caustic means:of a chemical substance: corrosive; capable of destroying or eating away such as a strong acid
or:
of a person: sarcastic, critical, or harsh
or:
of a person: sarcastic, critical, or harsh
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
debase
1 use
Prosecutors said fighters raped village elders to publicly debase them.
debase = decrease the status
Definition
Generally debase means:to degrade (decrease) the purity, quality, or status of something — often morality or metals
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
derogatory
1 use
It is unacceptable to use derogatory terms to reference a race or ethnicity.
derogatory = disrespectful
Definition
Generally derogatory means:expressing disrespect or criticism
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
deterrent
2 uses
How effective is the death penalty as an additional deterrent?
deterrent = something that discourages something not wanted
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
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 12 |
divisive
1 use
The Iraq war was divisive here at home, and has also divided the world community.
Adam B. Schiff
divisive = caused disagreement and ill-will between people
Definition
Generally divisive means:causing disagreement and often ill-will between people
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
edify
1 use
She edifies and inspires supporters everywhere she speaks.
edifies = teaches or instructs
Definition
Generally edify means:to instruct — morally or intellectually
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
indebted
2 uses
I am indebted to you for your hospitality.
indebted = to be grateful for a favor
Definition
Generally indebted means:to be grateful for a favor; or to owe money; or to be in the position of owing a debt of gratitude
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
inimical
1 use
Her lack of discipline is inimical to achieving her goals.
inimical = harmful
Definition
Generally inimical means:harmful or unfriendly
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
intractable
2 uses
What do you think is the most intractable issue of our era?
intractable = difficult
Definition
Generally intractable means:difficult
in various senses, including:
- of problems or disease — difficult to solve or cure
- of people or animals — difficult to manage or control
- of materials — difficult to manipulate
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
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 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
notification
1 use
I sent notification via certified mail.
notification = a document officially telling someone about something
Definition
Generally notification means:telling someone about something; or something (such as a letter) that contains the message
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
opportunist
1 use
Her opponents describe her as a self-serving opportunist who will say anything and stab anyone in the back to get what she wants.
opportunist = someone who takes advantage of unplanned circumstances
Definition
Generally opportunist means:someone who takes advantage of unplanned circumstances — possibly unethically
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
porous
1 use
the partly porous walls of our digestive system
porous = allowing passage through a barrier
Definition
Generally porous means:allowing passage through a barrier
The barrier can be physical or figurative — such as:
- a membrane, asphalt or other material that is full of tiny holes that permit penetration by a fluid or gas
- a border or other barrier that is not effective (for example, permitting illegal crossing)
- an ineffective sports defense
- a law or other rule that is full of loopholes
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
punctilious
1 use
punctilious in his attention to rules of etiquette
punctilious = paying careful attention to details
Definition
Generally punctilious means:paying careful attention to details — especially social conventions
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
tact
2 uses
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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
treachery
5 uses
Benedict Arnold remains the U.S.'s symbol of ultimate treachery.
treachery = betrayal
Definition
Generally treachery means:the behavior of someone who pretends to be a friend and then tricks, cheats, or betrays
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |