blasphemy
1 use
The government of the Muslim nation monitors major websites for blasphemy.
blasphemy = disrespect of something considered sacred
Definition
Generally blasphemy means:something said or done that is disrespectful of something considered sacred — especially God or religion
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |
complacent
1 use
She had become complacent after years of success.
complacent = unworried and satisfied
Definition
Generally complacent means:contented (unworried and satisfied) — often to a fault
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 44 |
consonant
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
consonant or vowel?
It takes longer for babies to learn to voice back-of-the-mouth consonants (like k) than front-of-the-mouth consonants (like p).
consonants = speech sounds that are not a vowels
Definition
Generally this sense of consonant means:a letter of the alphabet (or a speech sound) that is not a vowel
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 22 |
diverse
1 use
The college wants a diverse student body.
diverse = varied (in this case, of different ethnic groups and genders)
Definition
Generally diverse means:varied (having variety amongst things of the same kind) — especially with regard to ideas or members of a population group
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
diversity
1 use
Diversity has strengthened our Board of Directors.
diversity = the condition of variety
Definition
Generally diversity means:the condition of variety — especially in reference to members of a population group who are of different races or cultures
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 23 |
eccentric
1 use
She's a little eccentric, but we don't mind because she's the best player on the team.
eccentric = unconventional or strange
Definition
Generally eccentric means:unconventional or strange; or a person with such traits
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
hackneyed
1 use
She writes in a hackneyed manner with nothing original.
hackneyed = writing that is unimaginative and filled with overused expressions, ideas, and formulas
Definition
Generally hackneyed means:lacking impact due to too much previous exposure — especially writing that is unimaginative and filled with overused expressions, ideas, and formulas
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 42 |
however
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
However much she tried...
However hard he tried, he couldn't do it.
however = no matter how
Definition
Generally this sense of however means:to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 44 |
indulgent
3 uses
Indulgent parents risk spoiling their children.
indulgent = treating with extra kindness or leniency (in this case, not demanding enough of the children)
Definition
Generally indulgent means:to treat with extra kindness or tolerance
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 40 |
listless
2 uses
She was listless and bored.
listless = lacking energy and normal enthusiasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
parched
1 use
Nothing will grow in this parched soil.
parched = dried out
Definition
Generally parched means:dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight; or very thirsty
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
pious
1 use
1 —1 use 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 | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
ponderous
1 use
The findings were presented in a ponderous three-volume report.
ponderous = large and not elegant (unwieldy or boring)
Definition
Generally ponderous means:large or of great weight; or slow and unwieldy — especially because of size
or
boring — especially because of length
or
boring — especially because of length
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 33 |
portfolio
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a leather portfolio
The papers are in my portfolio.
portfolio = a flat, thin case for carrying papers, drawings, etc.
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 33 |
pretense
2 uses
The country maintains a pretense of a free press.
pretense = false appearance
Definition
Generally pretense means:a false appearance or action to help one pretend
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
resignation
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
accepted it with resignation
It wasn't her first choice, but she accepted it with resignation.
resignation = (accepted) something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
Definition
Generally this sense of resignation means:acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
resilient
1 use
Times have been tough, but she is resilient.
resilient = able to withstand strain and/or quickly recover from it
Definition
Generally resilient means:able to withstand strain and/or quickly recover from it — such as a person retaining a positive attitude, or a material returning to its shape after being bent, stretched, or pressed
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 26 |
squander
3 uses
She squandered the money she inherited from her grandmother.
squandered = wasted
Definition
Generally squander means:to waste — money, resources, or opportunities
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 39 |
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 39 |
vacuous
1 use
It is a vacuous, feel-good philosophy.
vacuous = lacking intelligent thought
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |