ambiguous
11 uses
Her answer was ambiguous.
ambiguous = unclear — because there could be two or more interpretations
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
apparent
22 uses
The effects of the drought are apparent to anyone who sees the dry fields.
apparent = clear or obvious
Definition
Generally apparent means:clear or obvious; or appearing as such but not necessarily so
Word Statistics
| Book | 22 uses |
| Library | 66 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
approach
1 use
1 —1 use 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 | 1 use |
| Library | 104 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
astute
2 uses
Astute investors spread their risk instead of investing all their money in just one thing.
astute = smart and perceptive
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
condone
1 use
Such behavior is permitted, but we certainly don't condone it.
condone = accept without criticism; or approve of
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
contract
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
contract the disease
She contracted an STD (sexually transmitted disease).
contracted = acquired (gotten; or picked up)
Definition
Generally this sense of contract means:to get — especially in reference to a disease
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
deride
1 use
She relentlessly mocks and derides the younger students.
derides = criticizes with strong disrespect
Definition
Generally deride means:to criticize with strong disrespect — often
with humor
with humor
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
fallacy
2 uses
The entire argument is built on a fallacy.
fallacy = a mistaken belief
Definition
Generally fallacy means:a mistaken belief; or a common form of incorrect reasoning
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
however
26 uses
1 —26 uses 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 | 26 uses |
| Library | 61 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
malfeasance
1 use
She denied all allegations of malfeasance, insisting that the money in her account was a gift.
malfeasance = illegal behavior by someone in a position of trust
Definition
Generally malfeasance means:illegal behavior by someone in a position of trust — such as a public official or corporate executive
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
meticulous
2 uses
She is a meticulous researcher who takes pride in a thorough job.
meticulous = treating details with great care
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
minute
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
minute size
Don't eat a lot of poppy seeds for a few days before a drug test. They have a minute amount of a chemical that can cause a false positive when testing for heroin use.
minute = tiny
Definition
Generally this sense of minute means:small, exceptionally small, or insignificant
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
obscure (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 5 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
it obscured my view
The stars are obscured by the clouds.
obscured = hidden or made less visible
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:to block from view or make less visible or understandable
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
2 —1 use as in:
the view or directions are obscure
For some obscure reason that goes back many years, they don't like each other.
obscure = not clearly understood
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:not clearly seen, understood, or expressed
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
3 —2 uses as in:
was obscure, but now bright
The once shiny silver was now tarnished and obscure.
obscure = dark, dingy, or inconspicuous
Definition
Generally this sense of obscure means:dark or dingy; or inconspicuous (not very noticeable)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
paralysis
14 uses
She suffers paralysis of her legs.
paralysis = loss of the ability to move
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 | 14 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
pious
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
a good, pious woman
The cartoon with a drawing of Muhammad outraged many pious Muslims.
pious = highly religious
Definition
Generally this sense of pious means:religious or highly moral
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
revere
3 uses
Many fans revere Michael Jordan as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
revere = deeply respect and admire
Definition
Generally revere means:regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration — sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
stoic
1 use
She suffered quietly, courageously, with a stoic acceptance of her illness.
stoic = unemotional
Definition
Generally stoic means:seeming unaffected by pleasure, pain, or emotions
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
superfluous
4 uses
Eliminate superfluous words.
superfluous = more than is needed, desired, or required
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |