adjacent
1 use
We are adjacent to a huge grassy lot.
adjacent = nearby
Definition
Generally adjacent means:very near — often directly beside
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
alternative
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
an alternative plan
It's not like we had a lot of alternatives.
alternatives = other possibilities
Definition
Generally this sense of alternative means:something available as another possibility
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
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belligerent
2 uses
Her expression is unmistakably belligerent.
belligerent = hostile (showing the attitude of one eager to fight)
Definition
Generally belligerent means:hostile (the attitude of one eager to fight); or one already engaged in a fight or war
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
bona fide
2 uses
In Seattle, two bunk cars and a bona fide freak—a bearded lady—and this made him happy, for what Uncle Al craves above all else, what Uncle Al dreams of at night, are freaks.
bona fide = true
Definition
Generally bona fide means:real (genuine, true, or sincere)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
complacent
1 use
Then August's face undergoes another transformation, melding into something close to complacency.
complacency = satisfaction (lack of concern)
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 18 |
deference
1 use
His face assumes a deferential expression and he gestures broadly toward an entrance on the opposite side.
deferential = politely respectful
Definition
Generally deference means:polite respect — often when submitting to another's wishes
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
disdain
2 uses
Her expression of bored disdain drops immediately.
disdain = lack of respect — suggesting distaste and an undeserved sense of superiority
Definition
Generally disdain means:a lack of respect — often suggesting distaste and an undeserved sense of superiority
or:
to reject as not good enough
or:
to reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
dubious
2 uses
He looks dubious.
dubious = doubtful or suspicious
Definition
Generally dubious means:doubtful
in various senses, including:
- doubtful that something should be relied upon — as in "The argument relies on a dubious assumption."
- doubtful that something is morally proper — as in "The company is accused of using dubious sales practices to influence minors."
- bad or of questionable value — as in "The state has the dubious distinction of the highest taxes."
- doubtful or uncertain — as in "She is dubious about making the change."
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
extricate
1 use
I take the opportunity to extricate my arm and rise.
extricate = free
Definition
Generally extricate means:free or remove from constraint or difficulty
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
furtive
3 uses
Grady looks around furtively.
furtively = in a nervous manner (as though hoping not to be seen)
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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
gesticulate
3 uses
She gesticulates wildly, arms flailing.
gesticulates = makes gestures (hand or body movements)
Definition
Generally gesticulate means:to make gestures (hand or body movements) while speaking or to express something
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
guile
1 use
My head swivels, but his expression is completely without guile.
guile = cunning and deceitful
Definition
Generally guile means:cunning (shrewdness and cleverness) and deceitful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
impervious
1 use
Uncle Al gazes on, completely impervious.
impervious = not capable of being affected
Definition
Generally impervious means:not admitting passage through; or not capable of being affected
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
incredulous
2 uses
He stares at me, incredulous.
incredulous = 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 23 |
menagerie
85 uses
The crowd mills around the menagerie, viewing the animals on their way to the big top.
menagerie = a collection of wild animals in captivity; or their enclosure
Definition
Generally menagerie means:a collection of wild animals in captivity; or their enclosure
or:
any an diverse group
or:
any an diverse group
Word Statistics
| Book | 85 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Pro. |
oblivious
4 uses
He stares at her with burning intensity, completely oblivious to Rosie.
oblivious = unaware of
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
remorse
4 uses
He shakes his head with remorse.
remorse = deep regret for doing something that was wrong
Definition
Generally remorse means:a feeling of deep regret for doing something that was wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
scrutiny
3 uses
He scrutinizes me for what feels like a very long time.
scrutinizes = looks at or examines very carefully
(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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
tentative
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
said it tentatively
Then she leans in and kisses me, a gentle kiss, tentative but lingering.
tentative = done in a careful way indicating a lack of confidence
Definition
Generally this sense of tentative means:done in a careful or unsure way (indicating a lack of confidence in exactly what will happen)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
trepidation
3 uses
I poke my head in with more than a little trepidation, but Kinko is gone.
trepidation = nervousness
Definition
Generally trepidation means:nervousness (fear or anxiety about what will happen)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |