adapt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
especially well adapted for
Penguins are especially well adapted for cold weather.
well adapted = well suited
Definition
Generally this sense of adapted means:to be especially well suited or appropriate for something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Scene 2 |
allude
5 uses
He alluded to Susan without mentioning her name.
alluded = indirectly referenced
Definition
Generally allude means:to make an indirect reference
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Scene 4 |
analysis
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
psychiatrist suggested analysis
I visited the psychiatrist who recommended I undergo analysis.
analysis = psychiatric treatment
Definition
Generally this sense of analysis means:psychiatric treatment — (using any of many theories of the human mind that use talk therapy to understand the unconscious mind)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 4 |
analytical
5 uses
She has an analytical mind.
analytical = logical and systematic in seeking understanding
Definition
Generally analytical means:relating to logical and systematic examination of something to better understand it — often implying some kind of quantitative analysis
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Scene 4 |
attribute
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
I attribute it to...
She attributed this quotation to Shakespeare.
attributed = credited (pointed to as the source of)
Definition
Generally this sense of attribute means:to credit (a source for something)
in two typical senses:
- "I attribute it to her work." — to say who or what made something happen
- "Remember to attribute any quotations in your paper." — indicate the source of a quotation or idea
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Scene 2 |
contrast
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
contrast their writing styles
Contrast winter in Panama with winter in Alaska.
contrast = point to differences between
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:point to differences between; or compare to show differences
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Scene 1 |
convey
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
convey her thoughts
She dresses to convey a sense of a successful, no-nonsense woman.
convey = communicate or express
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Scene 3 |
corroborate
6 uses
The detectives looked for evidence to corroborate her story.
corroborate = support
Definition
Generally corroborate means:to support an opinion — typically with additional evidence or testimony
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Scene 4 |
derive
6 uses
She likes to win, but she doesn't derive pleasure from watching others lose.
derive = get
Definition
Generally derive means:to get something from something else
(If the context doesn't otherwise indicate where something came from, it is generally from reasoning—especially deductive reasoning.)
(If the context doesn't otherwise indicate where something came from, it is generally from reasoning—especially deductive reasoning.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Scene 2 |
endeavor
8 uses
I endeavored to get both sides to agree to a compromise.
endeavored = tried or attempted
Definition
Generally endeavor means:to attempt; or a project or activity attempted
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Scene 4 |
hideous
12 uses
The beast had hideous fangs.
hideous = extremely ugly, offensive, and/or frightening
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1 |
inquiry
6 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 | 6 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Scene 1 |
malevolent
1 use
She tells vicious lies and spreads malevolent rumors.
malevolent = evil
Definition
Generally malevolent means:evil
- of a person — wishing or appearing to wish evil to others
- of a thing — exerting an evil or harmful influence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 2 |
moreover
5 uses
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 | 5 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Scene 2 |
pallid
4 uses
She looked weak and her face was pallid.
pallid = abnormally pale (lacking healthy skin color)
Definition
Generally pallid means:abnormally pale (lacking healthy skin color); or anything that lacks energy or liveliness
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 1 |
passage
2 uses
Each passage below is followed by a number of questions.
passage = a short part of a longer written work
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Scene 1 |
pervasive
7 uses
We were losing 35 to 0 at halftime and there was a pervasive sense of gloom in the locker room.
pervasive = existing throughout something
Definition
Generally pervasive means:existing throughout something; or generally widespread
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Scene 1 |
scrutiny
7 uses
She scrutinized her reflection in the mirror.
scrutinized = looked very carefully at
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.)
Definition
Generally scrutiny means:careful examination of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Scene 3 |
subsequent
5 uses
Her guess was proven right by subsequent developments.
subsequent = following
Definition
Generally subsequent means:following something else
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Scene 1 |
testimony
10 uses
Her emotional testimony moved the jury.
testimony = the statement of a witness at a trial
Definition
Generally testimony means:something that serves as evidence — especially a statement at a trial or hearing
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Scene 4 |