acquit
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
she acquitted herself well
Although they did not win, the team acquitted itself well and we were proud to have them represent us.
acquitted = handled (itself in a specified way)
Definition
Generally this sense of acquit means:to handle oneself in a specified way — which is typically in a positive way
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 35 |
acrimony
1 use
The meeting ended in acrimony.
acrimony = anger
Definition
Generally acrimony means:anger—often accompanied by bitterness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
allude
35 uses
He alluded to Susan without mentioning her name.
alluded = indirectly referenced
Definition
Generally allude means:to make an indirect reference
Word Statistics
| Book | 35 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
attribute (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 6 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
It is an attribute of...
The spreadsheet has a column to describe the breed of dog and then ten additional columns to indicate attributes of the breeds. For example the second column has the average full-grown weight.
attributes = characteristics
Definition
Generally this sense of attribute means:a characteristic (of something or someone)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Pref. |
2 —4 uses as in:
I attribute it to...
She attributed this quotation to Shakespeare.
attributed = credited (pointed to as the source of)
Definition
Generally this sense of attribute means:to credit (a source for something)
in two typical senses:
- "I attribute it to her work." — to say who or what made something happen
- "Remember to attribute any quotations in your paper." — indicate the source of a quotation or idea
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
candid
12 uses
1 —12 uses as in:
your candid opinion
Don't worry about my feelings. I'd like your candid opinion.
candid = honest and direct
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
contrary
16 uses
1 —16 uses as in:
on the contrary
She was not smiling. On the contrary, she frowned.
on the contrary = an expression used to intensify denial of an idea
Word Statistics
| Book | 16 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
dispose
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
disposed the troops along...
Troops were disposed strategically along the northern border.
disposed = placed
Definition
Generally this sense of dispose means:the arrangement, positioning, or use of things
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Pref. |
establish
6 uses
1 —6 uses as in:
establish a positive tone
Which word choice best maintains the tone established in the first paragraph?
established = created
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
grave
31 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 | 31 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
illustrate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
as illustrated by this example
Pictures of flooding help to illustrate the problem of global warming.
illustrate = make clear
Definition
Generally this sense of illustrate means:to help make clear — typically by example
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 45 |
indulge
14 uses
She indulges her children more than is good for them.
indulges = allows them to get their way (gives into their desire)
Definition
Generally indulge means:to give into a desire or enjoy something — especially in excess of what is thought good—such as a desire to eat too much cake, or be too lazy
or:
to allow or help someone to get their way or enjoy something — especially something that (probably because of excess) is not considered to be good or proper
or:
to allow or help someone to get their way or enjoy something — especially something that (probably because of excess) is not considered to be good or proper
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
ingenious
19 uses
It is an ingenious solution to the problem. It is as reliable as it is easy.
ingenious = showing cleverness and originality
Word Statistics
| Book | 19 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
intellectual
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
intellectual stimulation
The job pays my expenses, but it doesn't offer much intellectual stimulation.
intellectual = relating to the use of intelligence
Definition
Generally this sense of intellectual means:related to intelligence — such as requiring, appealing to, or possessing intelligence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 31 |
moreover
37 uses
The company has too much debt. Moreover, it is responsible for a long term lease on expensive office space.
moreover = in addition to what has just been said
Word Statistics
| Book | 37 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Pref. |
pedantic
2 uses
Her lectures were too pedantic for my taste.
pedantic = overly concerned with book learning
Definition
Generally pedantic means:too concerned with formal rules, details, or book learning
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 22 |
proportion
4 uses
1 —4 uses as in:
respond in proportion
She gets to ranting and loses all sense of proportion.
proportion = appropriateness
Definition
Generally this sense of proportion means:appropriate in size, amount, or degree
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
specimen
15 uses
The museum holds over a million insect specimens.
specimens = examples regarded as typical of its class
Definition
Generally specimen means:a sample regarded as typical of its class; or a bit of tissue, blood, or urine that is taken for diagnostic purposes
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
superficial
20 uses
She has only superficial knowledge on the subject.
superficial = shallow
Definition
Generally superficial means:relating to a surface rather than to anything deep or penetrating (often of injuries or thinking)
Word Statistics
| Book | 20 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
vulgar
36 uses
Her vulgarity was a turnoff.
vulgarity = crudeness (showing of bad taste)
Definition
Generally vulgar means:of bad taste — often crude or offensive
or:
unsophisticated (or common) — especially of taste
or:
unsophisticated (or common) — especially of taste
Word Statistics
| Book | 36 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |