beckon
1 use
He beckoned our neighbor over and handed Mom to him.
beckoned = called (to come by using a hand gesture or a nod)
Definition
Generally beckon means:to call — typically to ask or tell someone to come nearer by using a hand gesture or a nod of the head
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 29 |
bewilder
1 use
I asked, bewildered.†
bewildered = confused
Definition
Generally bewilder means:to confuse someone
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 17 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
contradict
1 use
"I didn't say that," he contradicted me.†
contradicted = disagreed
Definition
Generally contradict means:disagree
in various senses, including:
- to say something is not true — as in "She contradicted his testimony."
- to say something else is true when both can't be true — as in "I don't believe her. She contradicted herself as she told us what happened."
- to be in conflict with — as in "Her assertions contradict accepted scientific principles."
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
despise
2 uses
He was feared and despised everywhere he went.†
despised = disliked strongly and looked down upon
Definition
Generally despise means:to dislike strongly and to look down upon with disrespect
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
direct (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
depart directly
But what if they left town directly after the show, in the middle of the night?†
directly = immediately
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:without delay, or in the quickest manner, or without going somewhere else first
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
2 —1 use as in:
directly above; or buy direct from
My attacker, whoever he was, had a hammer and a large wooden stake, the tip of which was pointing directly at my heart!†
directly = straight (exactly where stated; used for emphasis)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straight (exactly where stated); or without involvement of anything in between
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "The road runs directly to Las Vegas." — straight (without varying from a straight line)
- "It was a direct hit." — exact
- "The plant is in direct sunlight." — unobstructed (without anything in between)
- "She wants a direct meeting with him." — personal (without other people in between)
- "She paid direct attention to what he was reading." — close
- "a direct gaze" — straight, steady, or focused—not a brief glance taken while generally looking at other things; not a sideways look
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 62 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 31 |
dismay
1 use
Tommy asked, dismayed.†
dismayed = to feel sadness, disappointment, or worry — typically in response to something surprising
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
genuine
1 use
"I have to throw you hard enough to make it look genuine," he said.†
genuine = real
Definition
Generally genuine means:real (as when a person is sincere or an object is not a replica or fake)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 24 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 29 |
heed
1 use
"But heed this, Darren Shan," he said.†
heed = pay close attention to; or 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 32 |
hypnotize
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
hypnotized to try to remember
walked the hypnotized wolf-man through the theater
hypnotized = in a trance-like state of heightened suggestibility
Definition
Generally this sense of hypnotize means:to put someone into a state of hypnosis (a trance-like state of focused concentration and heightened suggestibility)
(Heightened suggestibility means that the hypnotized person is more inclined to accept and act on suggestions of the hypnotist.)
(Heightened suggestibility means that the hypnotized person is more inclined to accept and act on suggestions of the hypnotist.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
immerse
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
immersed in her book
I was so immersed, I forgot about...
immersed = completely involved
Definition
Generally this sense of immerse means:to get very interested or completely involved
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
mentor
1 use
You and your mentor.†
mentor = someone who guides and advises another who is less experienced; or the act of providing such guidance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 32 |
muse
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
her musings
"Perhaps," Mr. Crepsley mused, tugging at his chin and stroking his scar.
mused = thought (reflected deeply on a subject)
Definition
Generally this sense of muse means:reflect (think) deeply on a subject — perhaps aloud
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
optimistic
1 use
"They sounded optimistic," she said.†
optimistic = expecting the best; or focusing on the good part of things
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 22 |
paralysis
5 uses
"The goat is paralyzed," he said.†
paralyzed = made unable to move or make a decision
Definition
Generally paralysis means:loss of the ability to move the body or a part of it
or:
inability to act or make a decision
or:
inability to act or make a decision
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 29 |
perplex
1 use
"Ladies and gentlemen," he said, "our next act is another unique and perplexing one.†
perplexing = confusing due to complexity
Definition
Generally perplex means:to confuse
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
retort
1 use
"Children don't have heart attacks," Annie retorted.†
retorted = quickly replied
Definition
Generally this sense of retort means:a quick reply to a question or remark — especially a witty or critical one
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 22 |
sheer
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
sheer fun
...by sheer bad luck, she happened to barge in.
sheer = pure — without other reasons
Definition
Generally this sense of sheer means:complete or pure — without restriction, qualification, or other elements (used for emphasis)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
theme
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
musical theme
the theme tunes from a few popular TV shows
theme = primary melody
Definition
Generally this sense of theme means:the initial or primary melody of a musical composition
or
(as in "theme song") music that is most repeated in a film, television series, or other theatrical production
or
(as in "theme song") music that is most repeated in a film, television series, or other theatrical production
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
therefore
1 use
Back then I could tell myself that he didn't know who I was and therefore couldn't find me.†
therefore = for that reason
Definition
Generally therefore means:for that reason (what follows is so because of what was just said)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 24 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 23 |