abrupt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an abrupt change
The bus came to an abrupt stop.
abrupt = sudden and unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
amiable
2 uses
She seemed an ideal candidate—attractive, amiable, intelligent and energetic.
amiable = friendly and likable
Definition
Generally amiable means:friendly, agreeable, and likable
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
auspicious
1 use
With good weather and no traffic, we had an auspicious start on our journey.
auspicious = favorable
Definition
Generally auspicious means:favorable; or suggestive of good things to come
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
cacophony
3 uses
There was a cacophony of discord as everyone spoke at once.
cacophony = combination of loud confusing disagreeable sounds
Definition
Generally cacophony means:loud confusing disagreeable sounds
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
converge
6 uses
The lines converge at this point
converge = come together
Definition
Generally converge means:to come together; or to be adjacent or similar
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
daunt
2 uses
It is a challenge that would daunt a lesser diplomat.
daunt = discourage or intimidate
Definition
Generally daunt means:to discourage or intimidate
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
diligent
1 use
She's the kind of diligent worker we want to hire.
diligent = showing hard work and care
Definition
Generally this sense of diligent means:hard work and care in tasks — often continuing when others might quit because of difficulties
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
disdain
3 uses
She tries to be polite, but cannot hide her disdain for authority.
disdain = lack of respect
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 | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
diversity
1 use
Diversity has strengthened our Board of Directors.
diversity = the condition of variety
Definition
Generally diversity means:the condition of variety — especially in reference to members of a population group who are of different races or cultures
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
fetter
3 uses
She is fettered by old ideas whose time has passed.
fettered = hindered (held back)
Definition
Generally fetter means:to restrain or hinder
or more archaically:
a shackle for the ankles
or more archaically:
a shackle for the ankles
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
highlight
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
highlights of the year
Did you watch the video highlights?
highlights = best parts
Definition
Generally this sense of highlight means:something that stands out
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
incredulous
12 uses
I find it incredulous that you believe she is sincere.
incredulous = difficult to believe
Definition
Generally incredulous means:unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
mystic
33 uses
She is a mystic who believes enlightenment will come from communing with nature.
mystic = someone who attempts to tune into realities beyond scientific understanding
Definition
Generally mystic means:relating to realities that are outside of scientific understanding and normal experience; or one who attempts to tune into such realities
Word Statistics
| Book | 33 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
nocturnal
2 uses
The mice are nocturnal, so we never see them, but we see their droppings.
nocturnal = active during the night
Definition
Generally nocturnal means:active during the night; or relating to night
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
ogre
18 uses
Shrek, the lovable green ogre.
ogre = a giant from a fairy tale
Definition
Generally ogre means:fairy tales: a frightening giant — especially one who likes to eat people
or:
an evil, hideous, and frightening person
or:
an evil, hideous, and frightening person
Word Statistics
| Book | 18 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
relevant
1 use
Shannon tells an interesting story, but it's not relevant to the decision we have to make.
relevant = important (related in a meaningful way)
Definition
Generally relevant means:relating in a meaningful way to the issue in question
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
reproach
1 use
She reproached him for being thoughtless and lazy.
reproached = criticized
Definition
Generally reproach means:a criticism; or to express criticism — especially where a relationship makes the disapproval result in disappointment or shame
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
revere
1 use
Many fans revere Michael Jordan as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
revere = deeply respect and admire
Definition
Generally revere means:regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration — sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
somber
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a somber mood
Before she said anything, I knew it was bad news from her somber face.
somber = serious and cheerless
Definition
Generally this sense of somber means:serious and without humor or fun — perhaps sad
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
tapestry
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
the tapestry hangs in the museum
The Lady and the Unicorn is the modern title given to the six tapestries that are considered to be among the greatest artworks of the Middle Ages.
tapestries = rug-like artworks — often hung on a wall for display
Definition
Generally this sense of tapestry means:rug-like artwork — often hung on a wall for display
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |