auburn
1 use
my hair looked auburn in certain lights.
auburn = colored a moderate reddish-brown
Definition
Generally auburn means:(of hair) colored a moderate reddish-brown
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
conjure
6 uses
Merle had once said that it might be good for him to be some place where no one had heard of his family, where the very mention of his name didn't conjure an image,
conjure = bring into existence
Definition
Generally conjure means:summon into action or bring into existence — often as if by magic
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
deliberate (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
need to deliberate
After much deliberation, my mother asked Mr. Landell to come and dig them all up
deliberation = careful consideration
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
Definition
Generally this sense of deliberate means:to think about or discuss — especially with great care
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 28 |
2 —1 use as in:
a deliberate thinker
He spoke in a slow deliberate voice.
deliberate = done with great care — often slowly
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
despise
4 uses
She wasn't one of them, by any means, and I think that was probably what the other women simultaneously admired and despised the most.
despised = disliked strongly and looked down upon
Definition
Generally despise means:to dislike strongly and to look down upon with disrespect
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
eccentric
1 use
"We have had such a time laughing over Fred buying that taxicab." She nudged my mother's arm. "It's a hoot. I think it's really—" She paused, taking her time. "It's eccentric."
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 26 |
elaborate (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 7 uses
1 —1 use as in:
elaborate on your plan
He had gotten some clothes, some money, but didn't elaborate.
elaborate = tell more details
Definition
Generally this sense of elaborate means:add details or explain in detail
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
2 —6 uses as in:
an elaborate design
we spent a lot of time concocting elaborate plans that we never had the nerve to carry out.
elaborate = detailed or complex
Definition
Generally this sense of elaborate means:having details and complexity — sometimes fancy or ornate
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
futile
2 uses
But Sally's wait was a futile one unless she could...
futile = effort that is pointless because it will be unproductive or unsuccessful
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 3 |
incessant
2 uses
Usually she had to know everything; Mr. Rhodes, Dean, and Misty often called her Curious George and joked about her incessant why why why.
incessant = continuous
Definition
Generally incessant means:continuous — often in an annoying way
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 16 |
incredulous
2 uses
"Can you believe Sally Jean picked all this out?" she whispered incredulously. "I mean, the salesperson must've helped her, ..."
incredulously = with disbelief; or with difficulty accepting something so unexpected
Definition
Generally incredulous means:unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
indignant
2 uses
"I'd like to suggest that it be named for my husband," Mrs. Poole had said, and looked around, indignant that no one else had made this suggestion.
indignant = angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
oblivious
2 uses
He seemed oblivious to everything going on around him, even when R.W. Quincy stole Todd's wheelchair and pushed Dexter around and around before running him into the wall.
oblivious = unaware of
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
paralysis
4 uses
It was like I was paralyzed and couldn't turn away;
paralyzed = loss of the ability to move the body
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 | 4 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
resignation
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
submitted her resignation
You better cut that talk out, Theresa, or we'll resign.
resign = quit (a job)
Definition
Generally this sense of resignation means:to quit — especially a job or position; or a document expressing such an act
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
simulate
6 uses
The coat was beautiful, white simulated-fur,
simulated = imitation
Definition
Generally simulate means:make an imitation or representation of
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
simultaneous
3 uses
She wasn't one of them, by any means, and I think that was probably what the other women simultaneously admired and despised the most.
simultaneously = at the same time
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
somber
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
somber colors
They both looked so plain and somber compared to Mo Rhodes and her loud-colored pillows and sparkly wall hangings in Oriental designs.
somber = dull (lacking brightness or color)
Definition
Generally this sense of somber means:lacking brightness or color — perhaps gloomy
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
speculate
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
don't know, but I'll speculate
We had all laughed about it, speculated on who those mean boys were and then...
speculated = wondered or guessed
Definition
Generally this sense of speculate means:to think about, wonder, guess or theorize with much uncertainty
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
whimsical
1 use
picturing this whimsical leprechaun
whimsical = playful and amusing
Definition
Generally whimsical means:playful, amusing, or impulsive rather than seriously rational
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |