audible
5 uses
She spoke in a barely audible whisper.
audible = capable of being heard
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
beckon
11 uses
I should be studying, but television beckons me.
beckons = calls (in this case by being desirable and inviting)
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 | 11 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
censor
4 uses
The Chinese devote enormous resources to censoring the Internet.
censoring = suppressing everything considered politically unacceptable
Definition
Generally this sense of censor means:to remove or suppress anything considered obscene, immoral, or politically unacceptable
or:
a person who does such suppression
or:
a person who does such suppression
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
conciliatory
1 use
Their statements are conciliatory, but their actions are uncompromising.
conciliatory = intended to end bad feelings or build trust
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
decorum
2 uses
All decorum was lost in the classroom.
decorum = proper manners and conduct
Definition
Generally decorum means:manners and conduct considered to be proper and in good taste
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
deport
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
deport from the U.S.
The government deported her.
deported = forced (someone) to leave the country
Definition
Generally this sense of deport means:force someone to leave a country
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
discriminate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
suffered discrimination
We do not discriminate based on race, nationality, social status, age, gender, religion, or sexual preference.
discriminate = unfairly treat of different groups of people differently
Definition
Generally this sense of discriminate means:to treat people of different groups differently — especially unfair treatment due to race, religion or gender
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 39 |
exile
9 uses
She fled Tibet and is living in exile in India.
exile = having to live outside one's home country
Definition
Generally exile means:to force someone to live outside of their homeland; or living in such a condition
or more rarely: voluntary absence from a place someone would rather be
or more rarely: voluntary absence from a place someone would rather be
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
expedient
3 uses
It was a necessary expedient to get the job done.
expedient = a speedy or practical action
(The word necessary, implies that there were undesired aspects of the action.)
(The word necessary, implies that there were undesired aspects of the action.)
Definition
Generally expedient means:a practical action — especially one that accepts negative tradeoffs due to circumstances
or:
convenient, speedy, or practical
or:
convenient, speedy, or practical
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
extricate
2 uses
She was caught in the wreckage and could not extricate herself without help.
extricate = free
Definition
Generally extricate means:free or remove from constraint or difficulty
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 29 |
frayed
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
frayed cloth
The cuffs were frayed from so many washings.
frayed = showing wear with threads beginning to separate or hang loose
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 28 |
furtive
2 uses
She watched me in a furtive manner—trying to hide her interest.
furtive = cautious or taking pains to avoid being observed
Definition
Generally furtive means:taking pains to avoid being observed
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
futile
2 uses
Resistance is futile.
futile = pointless because it cannot produce anything useful
Definition
Generally futile means:effort that is pointless because it is unproductive or unsuccessful
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
grave
4 uses
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 | 4 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
indifferent
3 uses
About a third are in favor of the change, a third are opposed, and a third are indifferent.
indifferent = without interest
Definition
Generally indifferent means:without interest
in various senses, including:
- unconcerned — as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat."
- unsympathetic — as in "She is indifferent to his needs."
- not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) — as in "an indifferent performance"
- impartial — as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |
pervasive
3 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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
protrude
7 uses
Metal spikes protrude from the dog's collar.
protrude = stick out
Definition
Generally protrude means:to stick out from
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
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 14 |
scrutiny
1 use
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |
virulent
1 use
A virulent form of the infectious disease spread through the country.
virulent = very bad
Definition
Generally virulent means:of disease: very bad — perhaps very contagious
or
harsh or hateful
or
harsh or hateful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |