aggravate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
she aggravates me
She is the most aggravating person I know.
aggravating = annoying
Definition
Generally this sense of aggravate means:annoy or irritate
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
approximate
3 uses
The state has approximately as many Republicans as Democrats.
approximately = about
Definition
Generally approximate means:almost, but not exact; or similar
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
audible
1 use
She spoke in a barely audible whisper.
audible = capable of being heard
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
beseech
1 use
She teaches and beseeches her students to think about their future.
beseeches = begs
Definition
Generally beseech means:to ask strongly or beg for something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
congregation
1 use
It's a casual congregation where many people wander into services late.
congregation = people who worship together in the same building
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
contempt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
feels contempt towards her
Familiarity breeds contempt.
contempt = lack of respect
Definition
Generally this sense of contempt means:lack of respect for someone or something thought inferior — often accompanied by a feeling of dislike or disgust
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
emancipated
1 use
She was an emancipated 20th century woman pursuing her career.
emancipated = released from social restraints
(used as a metaphor for the literal sense of being released from slavery)
(used as a metaphor for the literal sense of being released from slavery)
Definition
Generally emancipated means:released from slavery or servitude; or (metaphorically) from social restraints
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 25 |
fidget
2 uses
The child is always fidgeting in his seat
fidgeting = making small restless movements
Definition
Generally fidget means:to make small restless movements
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
grave
1 use
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
herald
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
announced by herald & trumpet
The herald loudly proclaimed, "The King is dead. Long live the King."
herald = official who announces important news
Definition
Generally this sense of herald means:a person who announces important news — especially a king's representative
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
humiliate
3 uses
She felt humiliated by his public insults.
humiliated = extremely embarrassed (feeling decreased dignity)
Definition
Generally humiliate means:extremely embarrass (decrease dignity, self-respect, or pride — especially in front of others)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
innate
1 use
She has an innate musical talent that cannot be taught.
innate = present at birth
Definition
Generally innate means:of a quality: present at birth; or arising from within rather than having been learned or acquired
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
passage
1 use
Each passage below is followed by a number of questions.
passage = a short part of a longer written work
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
pastoral
4 uses
The cabin was charming in its pastoral setting.
pastoral = countryside — especially idealizing charmingly simple and serene country life
Definition
Generally this sense of pastoral means:relating to the countryside — especially idealizing charmingly simple and serene country life
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
pervasive
1 use
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
precede
3 uses
Stone tools preceded bronze tools.
preceded = were before in time
Definition
Generally precede means:to go or do before
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
prejudice
2 uses
The group works to eliminate racial prejudice.
prejudice = unreasonable and unfair belief or feeling
Definition
Generally prejudice means:to have unreasonable belief that is unfair to members of a race, religion, or other group
or more generally:
to have (or create in others) an unreasonable belief that prevents objective (unbiased) consideration of an issue or situation
or more generally:
to have (or create in others) an unreasonable belief that prevents objective (unbiased) consideration of an issue or situation
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 25 |
scapegoat
1 use
She is a convenient scapegoat because she was chosen by the last administration.
scapegoat = someone to blame for the errors of others
(editor's note: This expression comes from an ancient Jewish ritual in which the sins of the people were ritually transferred to a goat which was then driven into the desert away from the community.)
(editor's note: This expression comes from an ancient Jewish ritual in which the sins of the people were ritually transferred to a goat which was then driven into the desert away from the community.)
Definition
Generally scapegoat means:someone blamed or punished for the errors of others
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
superintendent
9 uses
Our superintendent was surprisingly good in the faculty-student basketball game.
superintendent = the person who directs and manages the school district
Definition
Generally superintendent means:a person who directs and manages an organization — such as a school district
or:
a caretaker of a building — such as an apartment building
or:
a caretaker of a building — such as an apartment building
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
tranquil
1 use
I love a lake with tranquil blue water.
tranquil = calm
Definition
Generally tranquil means:calm and undisturbed
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 31 |