approach
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
approached the city
Winter is approaching.
approaching = getting nearer
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 104 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.14 |
bewilder
2 uses
Some of their customs can bewilder travelers.
bewilder = confuse
Definition
Generally bewilder means:to confuse someone
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 17 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.17 |
chide
1 use
She constantly chides me for my grammar.
chides = corrects or criticizes
Definition
Generally chide means:to tell someone they have done wrong — sometimes in a gentle way to encourage better behavior
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.4 |
commotion
4 uses
I looked up to see what caused the commotion.
commotion = disturbance
Definition
Generally commotion means:a disturbance — typically noisy
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.2 |
desecrate
1 use
They desecrated the cemetery on Halloween night.
desecrated = violated the sacred nature of
Definition
Generally desecrate means:violate the sacred nature of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.28 |
distend
1 use
One method of declawing is to severe the tendon that allows the claws to distend.
distend = extend
Definition
Generally distend means:to extend — especially the swelling outward of a part of the body; e.g., the stomach
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.12 |
earnest
1 use
I began training in earnest the summer before high school.
in earnest = in a serious manner
Definition
Generally earnest means:characterized by sincere belief
or:
intensely or excessively serious
or:
intensely or excessively serious
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 19 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.16 |
grave
1 use
Her smile disappeared as she suddenly realized the gravity of her situation.
gravity = seriousness or importance (weightiness)
Definition
Generally this sense of grave means:serious and/or solemn
The exact meaning of this sense of grave can depend upon its context. For example:
- "This is a grave problem," or "a situation of the utmost gravity." — important, dangerous, or causing worry
- "She was in a grave mood upon returning from the funeral." — sad or solemn
- "She looked me in the eye and gravely promised." — in a sincere and serious manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5.44 |
heed
1 use
Heed the advice of the old women.
heed = pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested
Definition
Generally heed means:pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested — especially with regard to a warning or other advice
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.5 |
however
1 use
1 —1 use 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 | 1 use |
| Library | 61 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.19 |
insight
2 uses
The book is full of insight on human nature.
insight = clear understanding of some aspects of a complex situation
Definition
Generally insight means:a clear understanding of some aspect of a complex situation; or a tendency to have such understandings
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | A.N. |
meander
1 use
The path meanders through the vineyards.
meanders = follows a winding course (rather than following a definite 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 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5.40 |
non-governmental organization
1 use
NGOs have tremendous political clout.
NGOs = non-governmental organizations (private, non-profit organizations working for member goals at the international level)
Definition
Generally non-governmental organization means:private, non-profit organizations working for member goals at the international level — possibly through direct action, but especially by lobbying government officials
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | A.N. |
pact
3 uses
The two countries signed a non-aggression pact.
pact = agreement
Definition
Generally pact means:an agreement between parties
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.9 |
perimeter
1 use
Don't go beyond the perimeter of the campgrounds.
perimeter = outer edges
Definition
Generally perimeter means:the outer edge
The exact meaning of perimeter can depend upon its context. For example:
- "Stay inside the defensive perimeter." — the outer edges of the area that is defended
- "It is common on the city's perimeter." — the outer edges of the city
- "What is the perimeter of the square?" — the sum of the length of the sides of a geometric shape
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5.40 |
pneumonia
3 uses
A mild case of pneumonia is sometimes referred to as "walking pneumonia."
pneumonia = respiratory disease characterized by inflammation and accumulation of fluid in the lungs
Definition
Generally pneumonia means:respiratory disease characterized by inflammation and accumulation of fluid in the lungs; caused by infectious agents (e.g., viruses or bacteria) or by inhalation of certain irritants
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.2 |
recollect
1 use
I think I recollect that she was away at college that year.
recollect = remember
Definition
Generally recollect means:to remember — especially experiences from long ago
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.14 |
rehabilitate
2 uses
She has been working to rehabilitate her reputation.
rehabilitate = restore to good condition
Definition
Generally rehabilitate means:to restore someone (or more rarely, something) to a state of good condition — such as recovery from addiction, illness, prison, or poor reputation
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | A.N. |
sober
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
Talk to me when your sober.
She was still sober enough to know the situation was dangerous.
sober = not under the influence of alcohol
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.17 |
solemn
1 use
He took a solemn oath.
solemn = very serious
Definition
Generally solemn means:in a very serious (and often dignified) manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 20 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.9 |