accommodate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
hotel accommodations
Considering my performance in the classroom thus far, I was well on my way to needing state-sponsored accommodations.
accommodations = lodging
From page 54.4 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of accommodations means:space or lodgings — such as a hotel room or office space
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.3, p.54.4 |
apathy
6 uses
Fear and apathy had become the new norm in what had once been a close-knit community.
apathy = lack of interest and enthusiasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.2, p.40.2 |
austere
1 use
It was a more austere version of Riverdale, a far cry from my Bronx neighborhood.
austere = notable for absence of luxury, comfort, or decoration
From page 89.6 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally austere means:a notable absence of luxury, comfort, or decoration
or:
of a person: stern in manner; or practicing great self-denial
or:
of a person: stern in manner; or practicing great self-denial
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.5, p.89.6 |
context
2 uses
And both of us had second chances. But if the situation or the context where you make the decisions don't change, then second chances don't mean too much, huh?
context = setting or situation
Definition
Generally context means:the setting or situation in which something occurs
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.4, p.66.9 |
contrast
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
contrast their writing styles
Nikki never fully adjusted to the new social and academic environment; she attended three different high schools in four years. Shani, by contrast, was a prodigy.
by contrast = in a comparison that shows differences
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:point to differences between; or compare to show differences
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.2, p.27.6 |
copious
1 use
The stromboli is a staple in Pennsylvania cuisine, essentially consisting of a pizza folded on itself, a bread, dairy, and meat concoction held together with copious amounts of grease, classic adolescent comfort food.
copious = abundant (enormous)
From page 119.1 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally copious means:abundant (large in quantity or number)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.6, p.119.1 |
correspond (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
corresponding time period
The book is broken up into eight chapters, corresponding to eight years that had a decisive impact on our respective lives.†
corresponding = matching
From page xiv.3 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of correspond means:connect or fit together by being equivalent, proportionate, or matched
(Two things are equivalent if they have the same or very similar value, purpose, or result.)
(Two things are equivalent if they have the same or very similar value, purpose, or result.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Intr., p.xiv.3 |
2 —1 use as in:
corresponding by email
With that, I will begin with the first question posed ... This was the start of our correspondence, which has now gone on for years.†
correspondence = communication by writing letters
From page xiii.3 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of correspond means:communicate by writing letters or email
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Intr., p.xiii.3 |
cuisine
2 uses
The stromboli is a staple in Pennsylvania cuisine, essentially consisting of a pizza folded on itself, a bread, dairy, and meat concoction held together with copious amounts of grease, classic adolescent comfort food.
cuisine = prepared food
Definition
Generally cuisine means:a style of cooking or preparing food
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.5, p.89.9 |
destitute
1 use
...it was created for the sole purpose of isolating black Africans in small, destitute enclaves where laws were instituted to control the residents and police entered to harass, not to protect.
destitute = extremely poor
From page 164.9 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally destitute means:extremely poor; or lacking the necessities of life such as food and shelter
The expression "destitute of" means: lacking
The expression "destitute of" means: lacking
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.8, p.164.9 |
direct (5 meanings)
5 meanings, 13 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
depart directly
I decided not to respond directly to this latest protest of his innocence.†
directly = immediately
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:without delay, or in the quickest manner, or without going somewhere else first
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.4, p.77.4 |
2 —6 uses as in:
directly above; or buy direct from
After their direct hit, they put on their lights and screeched off.†
direct = exact
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straight (exactly where stated); or without involvement of anything in between
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "The road runs directly to Las Vegas." — straight (without varying from a straight line)
- "It was a direct hit." — exact
- "The plant is in direct sunlight." — unobstructed (without anything in between)
- "She wants a direct meeting with him." — personal (without other people in between)
- "She paid direct attention to what he was reading." — close
- "a direct gaze" — straight, steady, or focused—not a brief glance taken while generally looking at other things; not a sideways look
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 62 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.6, p.121.1 |
3 —1 use as in:
was direct in my instructions
The formalities that usually accompanied my prayers—"dear most heavenly father" and "most gracious and everlasting God"—were replaced with very simple, blunt, and direct requests like "Help!" and "Please don't let me die like this."†
direct = straightforward (specific and to the point)
From page 135.9 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straightforward (uncomplicated or simple — perhaps also indicating openness and honesty)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.7, p.135.9 |
4 —1 use as in:
directed her question to
Once he realized the man's anger was directed at the girl and not him, he decided to stay out of it.†
directed = aimed
From page 103.5 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:to indicate direction; or to cause movement or focus in a direction or towards an object
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "intentionally directed fire at unarmed civilians" — aimed a gun
- "directed the question to her" — aimed a question
- "directed her north" — pointed in a particular direction
- "directed attention to the 3rd paragraph" — focused attention on a particular object
- "The sound of her voice directed him to the kitchen." — guided or gave directions to someone to help them move to a particular place
- "She directed him to the airport." — gave directions to send someone to a particular place
- "She directed the boat north." — steered it
- "directed the letter to" — send a letter to a particular person by putting a name and address on it
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 36 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2.5, p.103.5 |
5 —3 uses as in:
directed the movie
He smiled and introduced himself as the director of the study abroad program.†
director = supervisor (person in charge)
(editor's note: The suffix "-or" often converts a verb to a noun that means "a person who." This is the pattern you see in words like actor, editor, and visitor.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-or" often converts a verb to a noun that means "a person who." This is the pattern you see in words like actor, editor, and visitor.)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:supervise, control, or to be in charge of
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 29 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.8, p.159.8 |
establish (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
establish a positive tone
By establishing himself as the protagonist of his own story, he inspired me and countless other young people to see ourselves as capable of taking control of our own destinies, and to realize how each decision we make determines the course of our life stories.
establishing = setting in place
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Aft., p.182.2 |
2 —1 use as in:
establish that there is a need
When these townships were established, Afrikaners, or whites of Dutch ancestry, made up 9 percent of the population.†
established = created
From page 164.9 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.8, p.164.9 |
intimidate
9 uses
Although I was intimidated, I called "next" because I knew my deadline for going back to the house was quickly approaching.
intimidated = fearful of inadequacy
Definition
Generally intimidate means:make fearful of inadequacy
or:
threaten
or:
threaten
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.7, p.132.9 |
mentor
11 uses
The man who mentored— and clothed—my grandfather followed his dreams and made history.
mentored = provided guidance to someone less experienced
Definition
Generally mentor means:someone who guides and advises another who is less experienced; or the act of providing such guidance
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1.2, p.42.1 |
relevant
2 uses
I sat in the front of his class entranced as he spoke about the Constitutional Congress and the Federalist Papers, and their relevance to our existence today.
relevance = importance (meaningful relation)
Definition
Generally relevant means:relating in a meaningful way to the issue in question
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.7, p.132.6 |